GEORGE TOWN: Federal Government plans to amend existing laws to impose heavier penalties on those involved in cable theft, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
“We are in the process of drafting amendments to the current law and working with the Home Ministry.
“While tightening the penalties, operators must also take preventive measures as well.
"These include installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations and deploying more auxiliary police to ensure restricted areas are not trespassed by cable thieves,” he said during a press conference held after the launch of the first round of electric RapidPenang buses on Saturday (Oct 17).
Loke was responding to a recent cable theft in which 100m of cable near the MRT tracks between the Phileo Damansara and Pusat Bandar Damansara stations in Kuala Lumpur was cut on Friday (Oct 16).
Separately, Plus Malaysia Bhd said its personnel and police foiled a suspected cable theft attempt along the NKVE, leading to a suspect's arrest.
“Cable theft affects public safety because it disrupts our rail services, with serious implications for both the rail system and the public," he said.
When asked whether the proposed amendments would include longer jail terms and whipping, Loke said the details have yet to be finalised.
“Yes, in terms of imprisonment, but the details have not been finalised as discussions on the policy to increase jail terms and fines are still ongoing,” he said.
Currently, cable theft is investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft and is punishable by up to seven years in prison, but suspects are frequently charged under Section 447 or 448.
Those who plead guilty to trespassing are often fined between RM300 and RM1,000, or sentenced to just a few days in jail.
