Melaka: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) recorded losses totalling RM29.63 million last year due to electricity theft linked to illegal Bitcoin mining activities in Melaka. State Deputy Exco for Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communications Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem said the figure represented an increase of RM19.17 million compared with 2024, when losses stood at RM10.46 million.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a total of 85 cases were detected last year compared with 30 cases reported in 2024, indicating an increase in such activities in the state. Mohd Noor Helmy shared this information with reporters after an operation to cut off electricity supply at an unoccupied house allegedly used for illegal Bitcoin mining at Taman Tambak Paya Harmoni.

The operation revealed that electrical cables at the premises were concealed using curtain fabric to evade detection by authorities. TNB estimated losses of RM8,000 per month from this activity, which also disrupted electricity supply to three nearby residences. No arrests were made as the house was empty at the time of the raid, which was carried out by TNB in collaboration with the Energy Commission.

Mohd Noor Helmy, who is also the Duyong state assemblyman, added that this was the second such case recorded in Melaka this year, following a raid in January involving two shop units, which caused estimated losses of RM1.6 million.