GEORGE TOWN: The government is drafting amendments to the law to impose heavier penalties on those involved in cable theft, following repeated incidents that have disrupted operations and threatened the safety of the country’s rail system.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the proposal was currently at the policy discussion stage, with his ministry working with the Home Ministry to draft the amendments.
“It is indeed in the planning stage. We are in the process of drafting the amendments and working with the Home Ministry to tighten the penalties.
“In terms of the jail term, we have not finalised the details. We are still holding policy discussions on increasing the jail terms and fines,” he told a media conference after launching Rapid Penang’s electric buses here today.
He said this when asked whether the government was considering amendments to existing laws to impose heavier penalties on cable thieves following the latest incident on the MRT Kajang Line yesterday.
Elaborating, Loke said cable theft was a serious problem faced by all rail operators, including Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), adding that it was not limited to the MRT, as even the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which has yet to begin operations, had experienced cable theft incidents.
“These cable thieves must face stiffer penalties to send a clear message that this is no ordinary act of theft. When cable theft occurs, it compromises public safety,” he added.
He said rail operators should enhance preventive measures while the government refines the proposed legal amendments, including installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at strategic locations and deploying more auxiliary police personnel to ensure that restricted areas are not encroached upon by cable thieves.
In yesterday’s incident, services on the MRT Kajang Line were disrupted by a rail line encroachment and attempted cable theft.
Rapid KL said the delay disrupted services between the Phileo Damansara and Pusat Bandar Damansara stations.