Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah says railway cable theft is a form of sabotage, with legal amendments being studied to impose heavier penalties.
PETALING JAYA: Railway cable theft has caused an estimated RM16,298,700 in losses over the past three years, with the government now studying heavier penalties after describing such incidents as a form of sabotage against rail infrastructure.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said 339 cable theft incidents were recorded over the period, involving an estimated 19,756 metres of cable.
“Such incidents can be considered a form of sabotage against rail infrastructure because they have the potential to threaten the safety of hundreds of passengers, disrupt train services and affect public confidence in the public transport system,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Hasbi was replying to Datuk Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN–Kubang Pasu), who asked what action the government would take to curb railway cable theft and the number of incidents recorded over the past three years.
According to figures cited by Hasbi, 64 incidents involving 1,878 metres of cable were recorded up to June this year.
He said 141 incidents involving 9,699 metres of cable were recorded last year, while 188 incidents involving 8,179 metres of cable were recorded in 2024.
For January to May 2025 alone, he said nearly 45 cable theft incidents were reported in the northern sector.
Hasbi said the Transport Ministry was studying legal amendments to impose stricter action against offenders, including trespassers and those who damage or steal railway assets.
He said existing rail laws were too weak, citing the RM500 penalty for trespassing.
“It is acknowledged that the existing law on rail matters is too weak. Just imagine, for trespassing, the penalty is RM500.
“Since cable theft involves safety, heavier penalties will be imposed. We are also looking at other countries, and it will involve heavier penalties,” he said.
Hasbi said the ministry was refining the legal aspects and hoped the matter could be completed by the end of the year if everything proceeded smoothly.
In reply to Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer Rajaji (PH–Jelutong), who asked whether the government planned to draft a specific law against cable thieves and those who receive, keep or dispose of stolen cables, Hasbi said theft offences fall under laws handled by the Home Ministry.
He said trespassing offences fall under the Transport Ministry through the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
“We are drafting and refining the legal provisions under APAD involving trespassing. On laws under the Home Ministry, I am confident that the Transport Ministry is cooperating with the Home Ministry, as they may also look at how to impose heavier penalties for theft,” he said.
Hasbi said enforcement measures included the phased installation of 1,146 artificial intelligence-based CCTV cameras at stations, feeder stations and mid-point track sections.
He said 247 units had been installed, with the remaining units in the process of installation.
The project costs RM14 million and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.
Hasbi said KTMB had also received approval to acquire 20 scrambler motorcycles for its auxiliary police to strengthen patrols and speed up response to theft incidents along rail tracks and high-risk assets.
