PREMIER HARVEST (M) SDN BHD 1. ) TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD 2. ) SIAW YEN JAK 3. ) SIAW LEE YEN 4. ) YOONG WAI KWONG 5. ) ERLIANA BINTI ROSLAN

PREMIER HARVEST (M) SDN BHD 1. ) TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD 2. ) SIAW YEN JAK 3. ) SIAW LEE YEN 4. ) YOONG WAI KWONG 5. ) ERLIANA BINTI ROSLAN

The appellant failed to prove on the balance of probabilities that the registered owners (third parties) were responsible or benefited from the meter tampering; under s38(3) Electricity Supply Act 1990 and binding authority liability for such losses lies with the registered consumer at the time the offence was discovered, therefore the Sessions Court decision holding the registered consumer liable was correct and the appeals are dismissed with costs.

Citation
NA-12B-2-02/2023 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Parties
Perayu (defendan Dalam Tindakan Asal): PREMIER HASVEST (M) SDN BHD; Responden (plaintif Dalam Tindakan Asal): TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD; Pihak Ketiga Pertama: SIAW YEN JAK; Pihak Ketiga Kedua: SIAW LEE YEN; Pihak Ketiga Ketiga: YOONG WAI KWONG; Pihak Ketiga Ketiga: ERLIANA BINTI ROSLAN; Pihak Ketiga Keempat: YOONG WAI SAM; Pihak Ketiga Keempat: YOONG WAI KEN
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
18 December 2023
Case Number
NA-12B-2-02/2023 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
Both appeals dismissed with costs; Sessions Court decisions affirmed.
Legal Topics
Meter Tampering, Theft of Electricity, Registered Consumer Liability, Third‑party Indemnity/contribution, Burden of Proof
Source Language
Malay/English
Electricity Law Civil Procedure Property Law Evidence Law Meter Tampering Theft of Electricity Registered Consumer Liability Third‑party Indemnity/contribution +1 more

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Parties

PREMIER HASVEST (M) SDN BHD

Perayu (defendan Dalam Tindakan Asal)

TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD

Responden (plaintif Dalam Tindakan Asal)

SIAW YEN JAK

Pihak Ketiga Pertama

SIAW LEE YEN

Pihak Ketiga Kedua

YOONG WAI KWONG

Pihak Ketiga Ketiga

ERLIANA BINTI ROSLAN

Pihak Ketiga Ketiga

YOONG WAI SAM

Pihak Ketiga Keempat

YOONG WAI KEN

Pihak Ketiga Keempat

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether liability for loss due to meter tampering lies on the registered consumer or on the registered owner of the premises
  2. 2 Whether the defendant discharged the burden of proof to cast liability onto the registered owners/third parties
  3. 3 Whether tenants or owners benefited from the tampering and are therefore liable

Ratio Decidendi

The appellant failed to prove on the balance of probabilities that the registered owners (third parties) were responsible or benefited from the meter tampering; under s38(3) Electricity Supply Act 1990 and binding authority liability for such losses lies with the registered consumer at the time the offence was discovered, therefore the Sessions Court decision holding the registered consumer liable was correct and the appeals are dismissed with costs.

Court Disposition

Both appeals dismissed with costs; Sessions Court decisions affirmed.

Orders

  • Notis Rayuan NA-12B-2-02/2023 ditolak dengan kos
  • Notis Rayuan NA-12B-5-03-2023 ditolak dengan kos