Cable thefts targeting rail and telecom lines declared a serious national security risk
Stealing copper and other metal cables from Malaysia's rail and telecom infrastructure is being framed as a grave threat to public safety and the economy.
In Malaysia, organized groups are increasingly stealing copper and other metal cables from public infrastructure, focusing on the Express Rail Link airport corridor and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad rail network. The illicit trade profits thieves with up to RM13,000 per job, reflecting high international copper prices. Officials are called to treat these thefts as a national security issue, imposing imprisonment and substantial fines on offenders.
Long-term deterrence should involve shutting down illegal scrap yards, enforcing digital logging of copper sales, and targeting all fence networks. To aid detection, Prasarana and Malaysia Rail Link have installed AI-driven CCTV systems, applied invisible trace-element coatings, and embedded micro-trackers in cables. Repeated attacks on critical infrastructure threaten public safety, essential services and economic activity.
