NILAI, A welding workshop in Ulu Beranang, Lenggeng, has been discovered making an illegal water connection, resulting in a loss of RM30,000 for Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (SAINS). National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Enforcement Division director Ainal Yusman Mohamad Yusop said that the commission received a complaint from SAINS and found that the water theft had been ongoing at the premises for the past two years. He said that during a raid, SPAN uncovered a 25-millimetre High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe connected directly to SAINS' main line, channelling water into the workshop for its daily operations. 'Investigations revealed that while the workshop had a valid water supply account with SAINS, the supply had been cut off due to unpaid arrears of RM2,186.60,' Ainal Yusman told reporters. SAINS' general manager (Finance and Corporate Services) Mohd Khairilnaim Osman, was also present. He said the offence falls under Section 89 (9) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), which stipulates a penalty of up to RM50,000 or six months' imprisonment, upon conviction. Ainal Yusman added that the commission is actively tracking the workshop owner for further action, as the location was guarded only by security personnel at the time of the operation. Meanwhile, SAINS has recorded 286 cases of illegal water connections, with a total claim amounting to RM244,736. Source: BERNAMA News Agency