KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 6): Stronger legal action should be taken against individuals involved in stealing rail and public transport cables, as such offences go beyond ordinary theft and can be considered acts that disrupt public order, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The Transport Ministry has expressed support for a proposal by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to review and strengthen existing laws so that penalties for cable theft—especially those affecting railway infrastructure—are more severe.
Loke explained that each incident of cable theft causes substantial financial losses to operators and the government, while also undermining passenger safety and the reliability of transport services. In some cases, offenders receive relatively small fines, which he said may not reflect the seriousness of the damage caused.
He stressed that these crimes often interrupt rail operations and require costly repairs, creating widespread inconvenience to commuters and businesses that depend on efficient logistics and workforce mobility in the Klang Valley and other regions.
Authorities believe that rising copper prices are one of the main factors driving such thefts, with perpetrators willing to take significant risks despite the dangers posed by electrified infrastructure.
Earlier reports indicated that Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has incurred losses exceeding RM20 million from cable theft incidents since 2023, with a noticeable rise in cases from 2024 onward. The government is now reviewing whether stricter legal provisions are needed, particularly where theft affects major national infrastructure projects such as rail networks.
Reliable transportation infrastructure is critical to Malaysia’s economic ecosystem, including sectors linked to commercial property in KL, office space in Bukit Jalil, and industrial land in Selangor, where businesses depend on consistent mobility for employees and supply chains. Industrial hubs in areas such as Puchong and the Subang area—known for factory operations and industrial property—also rely heavily on stable transport and logistics systems to maintain productivity.
Separately, Loke addressed concerns about drug abuse among heavy vehicle drivers. He said enforcement agencies, including the Road Transport Department, the police, and the National Anti-Drug Agency, have intensified joint operations since last year to tackle the issue.
He noted that cases of drug use among drivers remain a serious concern because of the risks posed to other road users. Transport operators, he added, must also implement stricter internal controls and monitoring to ensure their drivers remain fit for duty, as road safety and operational reliability are essential for businesses and communities alike.
Philippines