Malaysia Cracks Down on Bitcoin Mining Operations with Steamroller Destruction
In July 2021, Malaysian authorities seized and destroyed over 1,000 bitcoin mining rigs worth around $1.25 million in a crackdown on illegal mining operations.
The equipment was crushed with steamrollers at a police station in Miri after being confiscated during joint raids between the police and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) between February and April 2021.
Evidence gathered from the miners showed that they had illegally tapped into SEB's power lines, causing losses of around $2 million. Eight people were detained in relation to the theft, with six charged under Section 379 of Malaysia's Penal Code facing fines of up to $1,900 and prison sentences of up to eight months.
The Electricity Supply Act 1990 allows for stiffer penalties for tampering with installations that endanger life or property, which could result in fines of up to $1 million and 10 years' imprisonment. However, other reports put the maximum penalty at $100,000 and five years.