PETALING JAYA: Police seized 357 stolen cable units worth RM629,000 in operations targeting cable theft syndicates in Kuala Lumpur from last year up to May this year.
City police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said 205 reports were received last year, leading to 171 arrests.
He said the cases involved 103 telecommunications cable thefts, 28 rail cable thefts and 40 cases involving other types of cables.
A total of 193 investigation papers were opened following the arrests, while 60 cases were successfully prosecuted in court.
"From January to May this year, we received 71 reports and made 85 arrests involving 50 telecommunications cable theft cases, 17 rail cable theft cases and 18 cases involving other types of cables.
"During the same period, 67 investigation papers were opened and 12 cases were successfully brought to court," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 24).
Comm Fadil said cable theft not only caused property losses but also affected public safety, economic activities and the smooth delivery of essential services.
"This crime can disrupt communications, business operations and government services, while increasing the cost of repairs, replacements and infrastructure maintenance.
"The illegal cutting or removal of cables also carries the risk of accidents, including electrocution and fires.
"The public is urged to channel information to the police to help curb these activities for the safety and well-being of the community," he said.
Comm Fadil added that the cases were investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code and Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
