Cover image via FMT & Bernama
A subsidiary of a Chinese construction conglomerate has been fined RM50,000 by the Kota Bharu Sessions Court for siphoning treated water from Air Kelantan for use at a luxury condominium project
The offence occurred on 11 September 2019, when the company illegally connected to a public main water pipe in Section 12, Bandar Kota Bharu, without Air Kelantan's permission, reported The Star.
The unauthorised connection was discovered during a joint operation by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Air Kelantan, following a formal complaint, according to the New Straits Times.
Represented in court by its project manager, 51-year-old Yang Chuangang, the company had earlier paid RM42,690 in compensation to Air Kelantan.
According to court proceedings, the treated water was exclusively used to carry out large-scale construction work for the RM89 million luxury condominium project.
The company had served as the project's main contractor since March 2017
SPAN deputy public prosecutor Mohd Suhairy Zakaria and prosecuting officer Thilaga Shanmugam highlighted that the offence was committed for commercial gain, not out of urgency.
"The company's illegal use of treated water not only resulted in significant losses to Air Kelantan but also added strain to the operational costs of the state's clean water supply," Thilaga said.
"The court must consider the broader impact of non-revenue water theft," he added, stressing that such actions hamper long-term infrastructure upgrades and rural water access.
The case was investigated under Section 123(1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006, which carries a maximum penalty of RM100,000 in fines, a one-year jail term, or both if convicted.
