Cable theft can no longer be treated as a minor offence as it poses serious risks to public service operations and safety, Transport Minister Anthony Loke has stressed.
He said such irresponsible acts should be classified as a form of sabotage against the nation’s critical infrastructure, given their far-reaching consequences on transport and public safety systems.
The Transport Ministry (MOT), he added, welcomed the Home Ministry’s move to draft legal amendments aimed at imposing heavier penalties for cable theft offences, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
“At present, cable theft is treated as a minor offence, with fines ranging between RM1,000 and RM2,000. Offenders often walk free after paying the fine, and such punishment clearly fails to act as an effective deterrent,” Loke said.
He pointed out that cable theft has a significant operational and safety impact on public transport operators such as Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), as each incident disrupts services and compromises public safety.
Loke was speaking at a press conference after the launch of the My50 Savings Tracker and the digitalisation of the Rapid Kota Pass and Rapid Kembara Pass here today.
He noted that copper cables are frequently targeted due to their high resale value, despite the fact that these cables are often located in dangerous and restricted areas that members of the public are not supposed to access.
“I want to remind those involved not to risk their lives simply because of the high value of these cables,” he said.
At the same time, Loke said MOT would continue strengthening protection measures for highway equipment, KTMB facilities and related infrastructure, including the use of cables and safety components that are more difficult to damage or steal.
While improvements in design and materials are being evaluated, he acknowledged that comprehensive structural changes would involve high costs, as much of the existing infrastructure was built years ago.
Earlier, the Home Ministry highlighted the urgent need to amend penalties under the Penal Code for theft-related offences, particularly cable theft, which is seen as disproportionate to the scale of losses incurred.
Saifuddin previously said his ministry had held discussions with Loke and rail operators on the large-scale impact of rail cable theft, including on projects that have yet to commence operations, such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
He also warned that the Home Ministry would not hesitate to revoke the licences of scrap metal, steel and recycling factories found to be purchasing stolen materials.
