Cable theft targeting Malaysia’s urban rail network nets up to RM100,000 per raid, costing millions and forcing Prasarana to tighten security

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.”

 The Sun Malaysia