Tangau acknowledged and empathised with the frustration of consumers, particularly in the two districts, following outages on Feb 27 and 28 because of cable failure along the 33kV Segaliud-Beluran transmission line.

“The two-day power disruption significantly affected areas such as Lung Manis and Sapi Nangoh. One of the main causes of the outages in Beluran and Telupid was the use of uninsulated all-aluminium conductor (AAC) cables for electricity transmission.

“These overhead cables, although commonly used in the past, are more vulnerable in densely forested and hilly areas. They are prone to damage from falling branches, strong wind, or heavy rain, which can lead to power disruptions,” he said in a statement today.

As a solution, he said, there is a need to transition to aerial bundled cables (ABC), which are insulated and designed to minimise disruptions caused by contact with branches.

However, this transition is not an easy process because of the significant funding and logistical efforts required.

Tangau said the percentage of upgraded power lines in Telupid and Beluran remains low, at only 45% and 28%, respectively, compared to 63% in Tambunan, where power disruptions have been reduced to about 60 minutes a year.

“Sabah Electricity has been progressively upgrading uninsulated cables, and as of 2024, about 4,937km (54%) of ABC cables have been installed. However, at the current rate of just 100km per year, completing the transition could take 30 years at an estimated cost of RM997 million.

“Securing additional funding is not just a necessity but a priority. The current plan to upgrade 230km of power cables between 2025 and 2027 is expected to cost RM70 million, but final approval from the relevant authorities is still pending,” he said.