A Tesla owner in Malaysia has come under fire after being caught illegally stealing electricity to charge their electric vehicle.
The incident, which has been shared on X, showcases a team of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) technicians conducting a surprise inspection at the homeowner’s residence.
Bypass electric meter
According to the TNB technicians, the charging station installed at the Tesla owner’s home was wired in a way that bypassed the TNB electricity meter.
This meant that the electricity used for charging the vehicle was not recorded, allowing the owner to avoid paying for the electricity consumed.
“This kind of behavior is equivalent to stealing electricity, which causes financial losses for TNB,” one of the technicians stated.
In response to the illegal setup, the technicians were seen cutting off the unauthorized wiring and reinstalling it in compliance with legal standards.
Owner claims he doesn’t know
The technicians also warned that such actions are a violation of the Electricity Supply Act 1990, which could result in a fine of up to RM10,000, a prison sentence of up to 10 years, or both.
The Tesla owner, who appeared shocked by the discovery, claimed ignorance, stating that they had hired a contractor to install the charging station and were unaware of any illegal wiring or violations of electricity regulations.
Despite the owner’s protests, they ultimately cooperated with TNB to have a legal meter installed.
Netizens’ reaction
The video of the incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many netizens condemning the Tesla owner for flaunting their electric vehicle while allegedly skimping on paying for electricity.
“Even Hollywood actors would lose to his acting skills.”
“Kudos to the TNB guy, so calmly explaining to the bloody idiot… if it were me, I would have already spat on them… case of electricity theft.”
“Just fine him. No technician would be this idiotic to make such a mistake. If he wants to blame the technician who installed it, well, let them both settle it. TNB doesn’t need to be too soft. It’s the public who ends up bearing the consequences.”
Watch the full video here:
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
