PUTRAJAYA, July 12 – Transport Minister Anthony Loke has called for firmer police action against cable thefts along railway tracks, declaring the issue a threat to national security rather than a mere criminal offence.
Speaking after Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) raised concerns over repeated incidents along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Loke stressed that such thefts jeopardise public safety and national infrastructure, prompting him to request intervention from the Home Ministry.
The minister emphasised that the thefts not only disrupt ongoing rail operations such as those under Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), but also risk costly delays to critical projects like the ECRL, currently targeted for completion by December 2026.
MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak warned that further disruptions could derail testing and commissioning plans set for June 2026, potentially leading to daily financial losses of RM1.25 million for the project’s main contractor, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
