GEORGE TOWN: A 46-year-old clerk has denied owing Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) more than RM96,000 for a property that he never owned or rented.

       Penang MCA public service and complaints bureau head Ooi Teik Liang said the victim, known as Chan, was shocked when he visited his mother and found court notices in his name for an electricity bill amounting to RM96,811.65.

       "Chan works at a funeral parlour in Batu Gantung here and during the Covid-19 lockdowns, he did not visit his mother in Paya Terubong due to his line of work.

       "He only visited his mother in May this year.

       "The notices from the court to Chan were sent to his mother’s house.

       "He met with TNB's lawyers, who showed him a photo of a shophouse in Tasek Gelugor.

       "He has denied owning or renting the shophouse at any point," Ooi said during a press conference at the state MCA office on Transfer Road Thursday (June 16).

       Ooi said Chan visited two TNB branches on the mainland to clarify that he did not own the property but was asked to show documentation.

       "Chan does not have documents as he does not own the shophouse," Ooi said.

       He said that the bills were apparently incurred between June 25, 2020 and March 26, 2021.

       "MCA will provide Chan with legal aid and urge TNB to carry out an internal investigation into the case as well.

       "We will help him deal with it as it is unfortunate that his identity has been used in what is probably a scam.

       "He lodged a police report on May 16 and sent a letter to TNB on May 17," Ooi said.

       Chan suspected that someone could have used his name as he never purchased or rented the premises in Tasek Gelugor.