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Theft

Copper Cable Theft Hits East Coast Rail Link Project in Malaysia

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Police in Temerloh, Malaysia, have arrested two men and seized a large quantity of copper cables and equipment believed to have been stolen from the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. The suspects, aged 34 and 41, were detained by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Temerloh district police headquarters on September 10. The theft of the connecting cable has caused serious damage to the rail infrastructure and may impact the completion schedule of the national project.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two men, aged 34 and 41, were arrested in Temerloh, Malaysia, on September 10, in connection with the theft of copper cables and equipment from the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
  • The suspects are from Mentakab and Bentong, with prior records of drug-related offenses and criminal activity.
  • The police seized five sacks of cut copper cable, one roll of copper cable, a cable cutter, gloves, a headlamp, and electrical tools, including a grinder and batteries.
  • The total length of stolen cable is 1,680 meters, consisting of 1,080 meters in the Temerloh and Lanchang section and 599 meters in the Lanchang to Bentong stretch.
  • China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd condemned the theft, stating it has caused serious damage to the rail infrastructure and may threaten the completion schedule of the project.
  • The arrested individuals tested negative for drugs following initial screening.
  • The police chief, ACP Mazlan Hassan, stated that the suspects have a history of prior offenses, with one having four drug-related records and the other having five previous criminal records.

Statistics:

  • 1,680 meters of copper cable was stolen from the ECRL project in the Temerloh and Lanchang section and Lanchang to Bentong stretch.
  • 1,080 meters of cable was stolen along the Temerloh and Lanchang section.
  • 599 meters of cable was stolen along the Lanchang to Bentong stretch.
  • The two arrested individuals have a combined total of nine prior offense records.

Sources:

  • The Star Online
  • Government of Malaysia, Royal Malaysia Police

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