A hairdresser finds herself in dire financial straits after discovering her tenant had covertly turned the upper floor of her shop into a cryptocurrency mining hub. The result? A staggering RM1.2 million electricity bill.
Yen Pit Yun, 43, operates a modest hair salon in Panorama Lapangan Perdana, Simpang Pulai. Seeking additional income, she decided to rent out the upper floor of her two-story shop through a property agent in July last year.
Suspicious Activity and Sudden Disappearance
Things took a turn in August when Yen noticed her tenant transporting large, heavy electrical cables to the rented floor. Concerned, she promptly filed a police report. However, the tenant vanished the very next day, leaving Yen to uncover the extent of the damage.
Upon inspecting the upper floor, Yen found a scene reminiscent of a break-in: empty rooms, holes drilled in the walls, and damaged partitions. The property destruction was significant, but the true shock came two months later when Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) presented her with an electricity bill totaling RM1.2 million.
Investigations and Support for Victims
The incident is under investigation, and Yen hopes local authorities can assist in resolving this alarming situation. Meanwhile, TNB has committed to addressing the growing problem of massive electricity bills linked to illegal cryptocurrency mining. The power utility has reached out to Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing’s office, offering consultations with affected property owners to explore fair resolutions.
This marks a crucial step toward relief for property owners trapped in similar predicaments. However, with cryptocurrency mining on the rise, cases like Yen’s highlight the urgent need for stricter preventive measures.
A Growing Issue Demanding Legal Reform
During a press conference, MP Tan Kar Hing disclosed that illegal crypto mining operations have impacted approximately 60 property owners in the region. Victims, including residential and commercial landlords, are being held accountable for electricity bills ranging from RM30,000 to RM1.2 million due to unauthorized power usage by their tenants.
Tan voiced the frustration of these property owners, who are often unfairly burdened by their tenants’ illicit actions. He called for immediate intervention from the Energy Commission and other relevant authorities. Tan also urged amendments to the Electricity Supply Act to better safeguard consumers and account holders against such exploitation. —The Rakyat Post
