Prasarana Malaysia Berhad has suffered losses of at least RM21 million over the past three years due to train service disruptions caused by criminal syndicates.
These organised syndicates have been infiltrating Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) infrastructure to steal live and signalling cables.
Alarmingly, cable theft cases have increased by up to 68%, from 42 incidents in 2023 to 72 cases last year. Prasarana Group’s chief health, safety, security, environment, and sustainable development officer, Idzqandar Abu Bakar, noted that the syndicates have escalated from targeting low-risk grounding cables to live and signalling cables that directly affect train safety and operations.
“They are now cutting live cables and sometimes even signalling cables, which means we are unable to detect where our trains are,” he said.
According to Idzqandar, such thefts result in longer shutdowns due to extensive recovery work.
Thieves lived underground
Investigations revealed that the thieves lived underground, with mattresses and cooking equipment found at the sites.
Criminal syndicates carefully plan their operations to avoid patrol schedules and employ advanced techniques to prevent electrocution while cutting power cables. Their main access route is the MRT viaduct network—hollow spaces beneath elevated tracks that allow intruders to move undetected.
Idzqandar explained that authorities have found individuals sheltering inside these structures for up to two or three days, with mattresses and cooking equipment discovered. The intruders reportedly emerge only at specific times to climb onto the tracks and cut cables.
Patrol teams have also uncovered ladders, ropes, and cutting tools hidden in nearby vegetation, indicating that escape routes are deliberately planned to transport stolen materials, as reported by New Straits Times.
Idzqandar added that relatively light penalties may be encouraging repeat offences, potentially resulting in losses amounting to tens of thousands of ringgit each time.
“We have arrested the same individuals multiple times, but to no avail. Are the fines really commensurate with the damage caused?” he questioned.
What do you think can be done to stop these syndicates?
