December 15, 2025 | 09:40 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia-owned electricity company PT PLN Unit Induk Distribusi (PLN UID) Aceh revealed 13 cases of transformer and electrical component thefts at PLN in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. These thefts have also caused disruptions in the electricity supply, leading to power outages in several areas.
Public Relations Manager of PLN UID Aceh, Lukman Hakim, stated that based on internal data from PLN, there have been at least 13 incidents of distribution substations being targeted for theft since late November until December 14, 2025. 'The losses include various sizes of missing electrical cables,' said Lukman Hakim in Banda Aceh on Sunday, December 14, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
According to Lukman, the theft of cables and components occurred in various locations such as Pantai Lampuuk and Meunasah Balee Lampuuk (Lhoknga District, Aceh Besar) on November 28, 2025. The thefts also occurred on December 5 in Tibang Village (Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh) as well as Beurawe Village (Kutaraja District, Banda Aceh) and Punge Blang Cut Village (Jaya Baru District, Banda Aceh).
From December 12-14, 2025, thefts occurred in several other places, including Lampreh Village, Aneuk Galong, and Keureuweung Krueng (Lambaro District, Aceh Besar), Inte Gajah Village (Jantho District, Aceh Besar), and Buga Village (Seulimeum District, Aceh Besar). The increasing number of transformer and electrical component thefts in the last two weeks indicates an intensifying pattern of theft.
Lukman stated that these thefts not only inflict losses on state assets but also trigger mass power outages after flood disasters and pose safety risks. 'This discomfort is caused by the actions of irresponsible individuals,' he said.
PT PLN UID Aceh urges the public to report any suspicious activities around electrical poles, substations, or power networks to the nearest PLN office, the PLN Contact Center at 123, or through PLN Mobile.
Lukman mentioned that the theft of PLN electrical components could be subject to criminal penalties under Article 362 juncto 363 and 408 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Those who steal PLN cables could face imprisonment of up to nine years.
Read: PLN: North Sumatra's Electricity Fully Restored After Floods and Landslides
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