The deployment of Distribution Transformer Meter systems and smart meters has markedly improved the detection of electricity theft since 2021, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Fadillah said the rising number of reported cases reflects the enhanced capability of these technologies to identify violations. “Data from 2021 to 2025 show more cases because we now have the technology to detect them,” he noted. Previously, detection was limited, but these systems now help prevent losses and curb theft.
As of 2025, 5.56 million smart meters have been installed across Peninsular Malaysia. Between 2021 and 2025, authorities detected 5,133 cases involving smart meter users, resulting in RM41 million in losses.
Fadillah, who also serves as Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, highlighted the use of drones and thermal handheld devices to identify excessive heat in suspected premises, which has proven especially effective in uncovering illegal cryptocurrency mining operations.
“PETRA and the Energy Commission, together with TNB, remain committed to tackling electricity theft,” he added, warning that such illegal activities not only endanger consumers but also threaten economic stability and the integrity of the national power grid.
Annual detection figures demonstrate the impact of the technology: 379 cases in 2021, rising steadily to 1,900 cases in 2025. “The increase shows the technology’s effectiveness in detection,” Fadillah said, allowing for more proactive enforcement in collaboration with the Energy Commission, Royal Malaysia Police, and TNB.
He also noted a recurring issue where premise owners fail to transfer meter accounts to tenants, leaving them liable for unpaid bills that can reach hundreds of thousands of ringgit due to illegal crypto mining.
On the topic of electricity tariffs and subsidies, Fadillah confirmed that charges are now strictly consumption-based, ensuring fairness: “Higher usage means higher payment.”
This combination of advanced technology and stricter enforcement reflects Malaysia’s commitment to tackling electricity theft and protecting both consumers and the national energy infrastructure.
