Putrajaya mulls longer jail terms, higher fines for rail cable theft to protect public safety, says Loke

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — The Transport Ministry is working with the Home Ministry on legal amendments to impose heavier penalties for cable theft affecting the country’s rail networks, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.

“The details have not been finalised,” Loke said.

“We are still at the policy discussion stage on increasing prison sentences and fines,” he told a press conference after launching Rapid Penang’s electric buses at the depot in Weld Quay here.

He was responding to a question about a reported cable theft on the MRT Kajang Line and whether the government would strengthen penalties against offenders.

Loke said the problem extended beyond the MRT network, with other rail operators, including Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, also affected.

“Even the ECRL, which has yet to begin operations, has had cables stolen,” he said.

He said tougher punishment was needed to send a clear message to offenders.

“This is not ordinary theft. Cable theft involves the safety of the public,” he said.

Loke also stressed that operators must take preventive action while the government worked on the proposed amendments.

“This includes installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations and deploying more auxiliary police officers to ensure our restricted areas are not intruded upon by cable thieves,” he said.