The number of electricity flights discovered in Malaysia climbed 300% between 2018 and late 2024, mainly due to the rise in illegal cryptographic exploitation, the star reported on Monday.
The cases were detected in joint operations which included the Public Electricity Services of Tenaga Naséal Berhad (TNB), the largest in the country, the Energy Commission and the Police.
“Joint national operations and raids have managed to stop the illegal mining configurations, contributing to an increase in cases detected from 610 in 2018 to 2,397 in 2024,” the public service said in a press release.
Crypto extraction is the process of discovering new blocks, checking transactions and adding them to the blockchain that underpins digital assets. The process, in particular for blockchains of evidence of work such as bitcoin, is with high energy intensity, which encourages minors to fly, rather than paying, to the electricity they use while collecting the award in the form of new tokens to complete the process.
The largest jump in numbers occurred after 2020. Between 2020 and 2024, the average number of electricity flight cases linked to the crypto was 2,303 per year, TNB told the star. The number of public complaints has also increased due to increased awareness in the way of reporting the illegal crypto mine.
The prohibition of cryptography is not prohibited in Malaysia, but anyone who dodges electrical installations is liable to a fine of 1 million ringgit ($ 232,720.50) and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Coindesk contacted Tenaga Naséal Berhad for a comment.
