RAIL OPERATORS URGED TO BOOST SAFETY TECH INVESTMENT TO PREVENT CABLE THEFT

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- All rail operators have been urged to increase investment in safety technology, including the installation of CCTVs and smart monitoring systems, to curb cable theft.

Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the move is vital to safeguard strategic rail assets, including the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

“This approach, used in China and Germany, where safety technology has seen heavy investment, should be adopted here by both enforcement agencies and operators to tackle cable theft,” he said during a Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) on the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry’s efforts and long-term plans to address cable theft.

On cable theft at remote TNB substations, Abdul Rahman said the Energy Commission and TNB collaborate with the Home Ministry, the Transport Ministry, and the police to monitor and patrol sites, ensuring the power supply remains secure and operational.

“Preventing these incidents requires everyone’s cooperation, including the public, to report any unusual activity, potential power disruptions, trespassing, or cable theft,” he said.

In the same development, Abdul Rahman described the government’s move to toughen penalties for cable thieves under existing laws as appropriate, noting that current fines are too low.

“The current RM1,000 penalty for cable theft is far too low compared with the losses suffered by rail operators and the government,” he added.

-- BERNAMA