Victory in Court: Defending Against TNB’s Bitcoin Mining Claim

Our firm recently secured a significant win in a case against Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in the Klang Magistrates’ Court, which alleged illegal bitcoin mining and claimed RM61,609.25 from our client.

The case involved a family and maternity doctor who owned a 2-storey shoplot. She had unknowingly rented out the first floor to a tenant, who later carried out illegal bitcoin mining activities without her knowledge. The tenant absconded, leaving the landlord to face TNB’s claim.

At trial, TNB called 3 witnesses to testify, while our client testified on her own behalf. After a full trial and upon considering the evidence and submissions from both sides, the Court dismissed TNB’s claim in its entirety with costs of RM4,950.00 to be paid by TNB. The Court held that TNB failed to discharge its burden of proof both on liability and on the amount claimed.

This decision is important because the public believe that fighting TNB allegations of bitcoin mining in Court is near impossible. Our case shows that where the evidence does not support TNB’s allegations, the Court will not simply accept their claims. Landlords who are themselves victims should not be automatically held liable for the wrongful acts of their tenants.

法院胜诉：成功抗辩国能（TNB）比特币挖矿索赔案

本所近日在一宗涉及国能（Tenaga Nasional Berhad，简称 TNB）的案件中取得重大胜利。TNB指控非法比特币挖矿活动，并向我们的当事人追讨61,609.25令吉。

案件涉及一名医生，她是店铺业主。在毫不知情的情况下，她将店铺楼上一层出租给承租人，结果该承租人秘密进行比特币挖矿。最终，承租人失踪，房东却被迫面对TNB的索赔。

在审讯中，TNB传召了三名证人出庭作证，而我们的当事人则亲自出庭作供。经过全面聆讯，并考虑双方的证据与书面陈词后，法院最终全面驳回TNB的索赔，裁定TNB未能在责任和索赔金额上承担举证责任。

此判决意义重大，因为社会普遍认为，在涉及电力盗窃或比特币挖矿的案件中，要抗辩TNB几乎不可能，往往有利于TNB。然而本案表明，如果证据不足以支持TNB的指控，法院绝不会轻易采纳其说法。