Transport Minister Anthony Loke proposes amending laws for stiffer penalties against MRT cable thieves, citing severe public safety and transport system risks
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Transport has formally proposed amending existing laws to impose harsher punishments on those involved in Mass Rapid Transit cable theft.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated the offence cannot be treated as ordinary theft due to its severe threat to public safety and transport operations.
“We have proposed to KDN to amend the existing law to provide harsher punishments for cable thieves,” Loke said at a press conference.
He emphasised that stealing such cables is an offence that directly threatens public safety and risks causing accidents.
Loke confirmed he discussed the matter with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail last December.
Further action on the legislative proposal will now be handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The issue gained urgency following recent cable thefts that disrupted MRT Putrajaya Line services.
A recent incident near Sri Damansara Barat Station caused a three-day service disruption.
This inconvenience affected thousands of daily commuters who rely on the public transport system.
Police recently arrested four suspects linked to the Putrajaya Line cable theft case.
The arrests resulted from a joint operation involving Prasarana’s Police Assistance Unit and the Selangor police contingent.
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad had filed a police report regarding the theft incident on March 3.
