Cable theft costs Prasarana RM20.6 million over three years, disrupting rail services and endangering passenger safety with a 68% surge in cases.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Berhad has reported losses of RM20.6 million over the past three years due to cable theft. The crime is severely disrupting rail service operations and posing safety risks to public transport users.
Prasarana’s group chief health, safety, security, environment and sustainable development officer, Idzqandar Abu Bakar, said the impact goes beyond financial loss. “Every theft incident causes disruption to train operations,” he stated.
He explained that critical systems determining rail safety are compromised. Repair and replacement of cables must be done immediately, with passengers being the most affected.
The trend is worsening, with 69 cases recorded so far this year compared to 41 in all of 2024. This represents a 68% increase in incidents.
Idzqandar said the issue affects other rail operators and telecommunications companies too. It highlights a recurring crime with serious implications for the country’s critical infrastructure.
The surge is driven by high demand and market prices for cables, especially copper. This makes the crime highly profitable for syndicates.
Prasarana has deployed various preventive measures, including security personnel and joint patrols with police. It has also installed high-tech CCTV and tested sniffer dogs on the Kajang and Putrajaya lines.
The company is collaborating with MRT Corp to strengthen physical security at certain locations. However, Idzqandar noted that securing over 200 kilometres of rail line is difficult without broader support.
He called for a more comprehensive enforcement and regulatory ecosystem. Prasarana urges cooperation from all stakeholders, including enforcement agencies, lawmakers, and industry players.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities near rail lines to the police immediately. This will enable swift and effective action to be taken.
