12/03/2026

THURSDAY | MAR 12, 2026

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‘Single cable theft could net RM100,000’ KUALA LUMPUR: Cable thieves targeting Malaysia’s urban rail network are making as much as RM100,000 from a single theft, a lucrative payoff that rail operator Prasarana Malaysia Berhad says is fuelling increasingly bold and sophisticated attacks on its infrastructure. The company recorded between RM600,000 and RM700,000 worth of cables stolen last year alone, according to its Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Sustainable Development group chief Idzqandar Abu Bakar. Over the past three years, the market value of stolen rail cables has reached about RM21 million, although the true financial impact is significantly higher when accounting for repairs, equipment replacement and operational disruptions. “The figure only reflects the value of the cables stolen. It does not include the cost of reinstalling them or restoring services,” he said when met at a Prasarana iftar event on Tuesday. Rail operators previously estimated that cable theft cost the network RM20.6 million over three years, underscoring the wider impact on train operations and passenger services. The problem has grown alongside the rising value of copper, which is in high demand globally for industries ranging from electronics manufacturing to emerging technologies. “In one theft, they can earn between RM60,000 and RM100,000,” Idzqandar said, adding that short prison sentences of three to four months often fail to deter repeat offenders. Last year alone, 72 cable theft cases were reported across Prasarana’s network, with incidents spiking sharply in July and August. In response, the operator introduced a series of countermeasures, including deploying permanent security teams at four hotspots, upgrading lighting along vulnerable stretches, and increasing night patrols. Patrol dogs were also used to detect intruders and uncover hidden tools along rail corridors. He said the measures helped suppress incidents toward the end of the year. But the lull proved temporary. Early this year, Idzqandar said security teams noticed that thieves had adapted, finding new ways to access rail infrastructure that are harder to secure. Among the most concerning methods involves climbing onto rail alignments from nearby highways. “In some locations, tracks run parallel to elevated roads, allowing suspects to scale barriers from roadside areas or descend from highway structures above. “Securing such locations is challenging, as deterrents like barbed wire can interfere with surrounding infrastructure or pose risks to motorists,” he said. Advertising billboards positioned near rail lines have also become unexpected entry points. “One obvious stretch is along Jalan Semantan near Bukit Damansara, where there are many billboards. “We’ve recorded several cases where thieves used these structures to climb up.” He said Prasarana is now working with billboard owners and authorities to restrict access. Patrol strategies have also expanded vertically. Previously, security teams monitored areas beneath elevated tracks, but suspects could scale structures within 10 to 15 minutes and disappear before patrols returned. “Now, patrols are conducted along upper sections of the rail alignment after train services end each night. Removing copper cables can take two to three hours, giving security teams a longer window to intercept suspects.” Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Call for clarity over report against family of late Daim

o Cannot rule out possibility complaint followed widow’s rejection of PR services offered by individual: MP

institutions established through democratic processes. Citing the Dewan Rakyat Hansard dated April 17, 2012, he said a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department had explained that the provision referred to activities involving violence or unconstitutional means to topple the parliamentary system. “How can media activities or public campaigns suddenly be investigated under this section?” he asked. Wan Saiful said opposition lawmakers at the time had warned about the broad definition of “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy”, cautioning that it could potentially be misused by authorities. He questioned whether political campaigns, criticism of the government or media reporting could eventually fall under the same provision. “If that is the case, would public campaigns by politicians or political parties, or media reports critical of the government, also be treated as offences under the current administration?” he said. Wan Saiful described the investigation under Section 124B as unreasonable and warned that it could set a troubling precedent if allowed to continue. He said such actions could have serious implications for media freedom. Daim’s family is under investigation for allegedly engaging a foreign firm to use international media platforms in a campaign to topple the government.

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

an independent opposition MP. He was referring to a police report that has been widely shared online alleging discussions between Daim’s family and a

PETALING JAYA: Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan ( pic ) has raised concerns over a police report linked to allegations involving the family of the late Daim Zainuddin, calling for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the complaint.

foreign firm to use international media platforms for purposes described as improper. The report has triggered investigations under Section 124B of the Malaysian Penal Code which deals with activities considered detrimental to parliamentary democracy. Wan Saiful said he has been summoned to give a statement to police but was not informed of the

Wan Saiful claimed the report circulating online was lodged by a media editor, who also operates a public relations consultancy, adding that the individual had previously offered PR services to Daim’s widow

specific reason. “I have been informed that several friends from the academic and NGO circles have also been called by the police to give statements. He questioned whether the investigation could be an attempt to link opposition figures to the matter. Wan Saiful also raised concerns about the application of Section 124B, noting that parliamentary debates during the law’s introduction in 2012 indicated that it was intended to address violent and unconstitutional attempts to overthrow

Na’imah Abdul Khalid to help address allegations directed at her and her family. “I understand that this individual had offered public relations services to Na’imah to manage accusations against her and her family. The offer was rejected,” he said. Wan Saiful said he could not rule out the possibility that the police report may have been lodged following that rejection. “If that is indeed the motive, then the integrity of the individual in running both a PR consultancy and a media company must be questioned,” added Wan Saiful who is now

Police bust MDMA syndicate, seize drugs worth RM86.80m MALACCA: Police have busted a syndicate involved in processing and storing drugs said to be methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), with seizures estimated to be worth RM86.78 million, following three raids in the Central Malacca area earlier this month. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal initially found the location suspected of being used as a ‘calling centre’, but further inspection revealed it was actually functioning as a drug storage facility. Hussein (third from left) showing some of the seized processing equipment and drugs at the press conference. – PIC COURTESY OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT MALACCA POLICE CONTINGENT HEADQUARTERS

MDMA, 2.75kg of powder, suspected to be MDMA, 0.002kg of Erimin 5 pills, 0.004kg of ecstasy pills and 0.01kg of ketamine. The arrests led to a third raid on the same day at a double-storey terrace house in Krubong, where police seized 274.08kg of liquid suspected to be MDMA, 303.85kg of powder, also suspected to be MDMA, 0.17kg of ecstasy pills, 0.15kg of Erimin 5 pills, and 1kg of ketamine and various types of equipment believed to have been used to process drugs. He said the first and second suspects acted as coordinators, the third suspect served as the storekeeper, while the fourth and fifth suspects acted as runners. – Bernama

“The first raid on March 6 at a terrace house in Bertam resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of 1.73kg of Erimin 5 pills kept in a bag, along with 13 mobile phones, seven notebooks and a laptop,” he said at a press conference at the Malacca contingent police headquarters in Ayer Keroh here yesterday. The second raid on March 8 in Kenanga led to the arrest of two more suspects and the seizure of 10.88kg of liquid suspected to be

Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the operation, carried out based on intelligence, also led to the arrest of four local men and one woman aged between 23 and 55. “The raids, conducted following preliminary intelligence by the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department,