KUANTAN: Over 1,600m of connector cables for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project between Temerloh and Bentong were stolen recently.
China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL), in a statement on Thursday (Sept 11), said that 1,080m of cables were stolen along the Temerloh-Lanchang stretch, while 599m went missing along the Lanchang-Bentong alignment, within a period of two weeks.
"CCCECRL strongly condemns the theft of connector cables along the ECRL alignment from Temerloh to Bentong. This incident has caused severe damage to the rail infrastructure and has the potential to disrupt the completion schedule of this national project.
"Since June, a series of thefts involving high-value rail components, including cables and transformers, have been detected. The latest incident indicates a worrying trend of thefts that directly affects the progress of the project," the statement said.
CCCECRL said the theft not only increases repair and replacement costs but also contributes to delays in the overall project progress.
"The replacement components, which are custom-ordered, take months to procure, thereby affecting the critical role of the ECRL project in delivering long-term social and economic benefits to the East Coast Region and the nation as a whole," the statement said.
CCCECRL said a police report was lodged at the Lanchang police station, and the company was working closely with the police for further investigations.
The public is advised not to purchase any electrical cables or components believed to belong to the ECRL project and to immediately report any suspicious activities to the police or the nearest CCCECRL section office.- Bernama
