A Tesla owner in Malaysia is facing severe backlash after being caught illegally siphoning electricity to charge their electric vehicle. The incident, which has garnered attention on X (formerly known as Twitter), shows a team of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) technicians conducting a surprise inspection at the homeowners residence.
Benda dah kantoi. So buat² bodo je lah .
— #UpdateInfo (@update11111) August 15, 2024
Curi elektrik. Buat buat tak faham konon.
Kredit video owner pic.twitter.com/llWOe9koio
According to the TNB technicians, the charging station installed at the Tesla owners home was wired to bypass the TNB electricity meter. This allowed the owner to charge their vehicle without the electricity consumption being recorded, effectively avoiding payment for the energy used.
This kind of behavior is equivalent to stealing electricity, which causes financial losses for TNB, one of the technicians stated in the video.
During the inspection, the TNB team promptly disconnected the illegal wiring and reinstalled it according to legal standards. They also issued a stern warning, noting that such actions violate the Electricity Supply Act 1990. Under this law, offenders could face a fine of up to RM10,000, a prison sentence of up to 10 years, or both.
The Tesla owner, who appeared visibly stunned by the findings, claimed ignorance of the illegal setup. The owner insisted that they had hired a contractor to install the charging station and were unaware of any violations of electricity regulations.
Despite the owners protests, they cooperated with TNB to install a legal meter. The video of the incident has since gone viral, igniting a heated debate online. Many netizens have expressed outrage, criticizing the Tesla owner for allegedly flaunting their high-end electric vehicle while avoiding paying for the electricity it consumes.
This incident highlights the growing need for stricter enforcement and public awareness regarding the legal and ethical responsibilities of electric vehicle ownership, particularly as more Malaysians transition to greener transportation options.
