ALOR SETAR: A total of 20 hotspots have been identified along the northern commuter railway line where signalling and communication cables are often stolen, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said that the thefts have not only disrupted KTM Komuter services but also resulted in RM1.35mil in losses, affecting the daily routines of passengers relying on the northern commuter service.
"The number of cable theft cases disrupting railway services has risen sharply, increasing from just seven cases in the third quarter of 2024 to 36 cases in the fourth quarter — an almost fourfold surge.
"The worst-hit areas were the Sungai Petani–Tasek Gelugor sector, which recorded 35 cases, and the Gurun–Sungai Petani sector, with 21 cases," he said during a press conference following his visit to the Alor Setar KTM station.
Loke stressed that the wave of cable thefts should not be seen as just a criminal act, but also something that poses a significant risk to public safety.
“The stealing of signaling cables not only interferes with rail operations but also jeopardises the safety of passengers and cargo,” he said, adding that the theft incidents had caused a total of 162 hours of disruptions to northern commuter services.
Loke said in an effort to prevent such crimes, the ministry will work closely with enforcement agencies, especially the police, to track down those who had sabotaged national infrastructure and endangered public safety, and bring them to justice.
He said KTMB auxiliary police will carry out 132 special operations, including conducting 24-hour patrols at hotspot locations.
He added that KTMB will upgrade its Axle Counter network and related equipment, at an estimated cost of RM12.8mil annually over the next three years.
He said the upgrade will emphasise hotspot areas, including enhancing monitoring and prevention measures such as CCTV cameras, drones, anti-climb fencing and locked manhole covers with new security mechanisms.
Kedah deputy police chief Deputy Comm Adzli Abu Shah said so far police have apprehended five suspects in connection with the cable theft incident at KTMB's northern commuter railway line.
"Investigations revealed the cables that were stolen were sold to scrap metal operators for their copper,"he said.
DCP Adzli said that the suspects were apprehended in Gurun and Pendang, leading to a temporary decline in cable theft incidents.
Earlier, Loke visited the Padang Besar and Alor Setar KTM station to assess KTMB's service operations, particularly the KTM Northern Commuter, while also reviewing the infrastructure upgrades carried out by Railway Assets Corporation (RAC).
He said RAC has completed the construction of covered motorcycle parking at four train stations, providing 345 parking lots at a total cost of RM1.3mil.
He said the new facilities, aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for commuters, were officially opened last month.
Additionally, elevators at stations along the Padang Besar route are currently being upgraded.
"The construction of three elevator units at Bukit Keteri Station is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by April at a cost of RM3.4mil,"he said.
Meanwhile, elevator installations at Kodiang and Gurun stations are set to begin next month.
He said at the Padang Besar Station, two elevator units are being constructed at a cost of RM3.69mil, with completion targeted for next year.
In terms of facility upgrades, restroom improvements are being carried out at 10 stations, including Padang Besar, Arau, Bukit Mertajam, Ipoh, and Tanjung Malim.
He said RAC is developing three railway maintenance depots in Padang Besar, Bukit Tengah, and Batu Gajah.
Construction of five additional depots in Tokai, Kamunting, Seremban Selatan, and Tampin is scheduled to begin on April 14.
He said the government has approved the procurement of 12 new train sets through an open tender, awarded to CRC Rolling Stock Center Malaysia Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM283mil.
The first train is expected to be delivered within 22 months, with the rest supplied in phases over a 36-month period.
