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Asia News Network
18 hours ago
- Business
- Asia News Network
Malaysia's railway setback linked to site theft
June 23, 2025 PETALING JAYA – The target to complete the much-touted East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project by December next year is facing an unexpected obstacle – theft of signalling equipment and communication cables. The contractors have a fight on their hands with over 1,200m of signalling cables reported stolen along its alignment, with 81 outdoor transformer units also removed. According to Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd, the thieves used non-professional cutting tools to get the job done hastily, and even came with transportation. While cable theft or vandalism is a common problem, thefts along the ECRL track are distressing as the cables and transformers are custom-made, with usual delivery time taking up to six months. The 665km ECRL, which connects the Klang Valley to the East Coast, is scheduled to be completed by December next year. It will carry both passengers and freight from the west coast of the country to the east and vice- versa, with speeds of up to 160kph for passenger trains and 80kph for freight trains. The project, which began in 2017, has recorded an overall progress of 82.45%. MRL is the special purpose entity to execute the ECRL project. MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said there were at least two known instances of such thefts along the ECRL alignment. 'The thefts may delay the project delivery. 'We were very much looking forward to the testing and commissioning phase in June next year,' he added. Since the start of the Communications, Information and Signaling (CIS) systems installation at the ECRL KotaSAS Station in Pahang this March, thieves have struck at no less than seven locations – Paya Besar, Cherating and Kuantan Port City (all in Pahang); Chukai, Dungun and Kemasik (Terengganu) and Pasir Puteh in Kelantan. At the areas near the KotaSAS Station, the contractor involved, China Communications Construction ECRL Project (CCCC-ECRL) found that some fibre optic cables were left behind after being cut. Fibre optic cables are said to be worthless in the scrap market as it does not contain metal. However, the 1,200m of signalling cable which were stolen did contain some metal. Darwis said MRL will meet with the respective state police chiefs to discuss comprehensive asset protection measures and also raise the issue with the relevant ministers. Observers note that protecting trackside assets was difficult as cables were often placed in concrete troughs, with thieves just needing to remove the cover to gain quick access to the cable bundle. Darwis said CCCC-ECRL will bear the losses from the thefts as the project has not been handed over to the government yet. 'That said, we as the project owner will also do our part to curb this problem. The ECRL project team is working closely with police to engage those in the scrap collection or recycling business,' he said. 'We have engaged security personnel to patrol the areas and will install CCTVs at critical areas, although it is not easy to keep watch over such a long alignment,' he said. It is learnt that the on-ground portions of the entire alignment will be eventually fenced up to prevent intrusions. 'In the meantime, we appeal to the public to help us by quickly alerting authorities if they spot suspicious activities along the alignment,' Darwis said. Yuslizar Daud, former head of the Land Public Transport Commission's (now defunct SPAD) Rail Division, said these types of theft were tough to overcome. 'It happens all over the world. In the United Kingdom, Network Rail lost almost £20mil (RM114.4mill) a year due to cable theft. 'Here, thieves are very smart and well-organised, with intricate networks. They are always 100 steps ahead of the operators,' he said. Yuslizar said the only way to effectively resolve the problem was for all rail operators to come together and share intelligence, resources and data. CCCC-ECRL managing director Deng Bo said theft or vandalism of rail infrastructure was a serious crime in China as it threatened the safety of rail operations, and hence, public safety. Officials said if equipment theft continues unabated, Malaysia will suffer losses as it will have to bear half the operational losses, if any, when the trains start running by early 2027.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
ECRL surpasses contract target with RM18.57b awarded to local companies, 97pc to Bumiputera firms
RAWANG, July 1 — The value of contracts awarded to local companies involved in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has reached RM18.57 billion, surpassing the target of RM10.8 billion, said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chairman Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. He stated that the ECRL project has involved around 3,300 local companies, comprising contractors, consultants, and suppliers, from 2017 to May 2025. Regarding Bumiputera company involvement, Shamsul Azri, who is also the Chief Secretary to the Government, said that RM3.4 billion, or 97.14 per cent of the RM3.5 billion target for ECRL civil works, has been awarded to Bumiputera contractors, consultants, and suppliers. 'MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) will continue to work together to ensure the highest possible contract value is awarded to local and Bumiputera companies until the completion of ECRL construction,' he said during a speech at the Serendah 2 Tunnel breakthrough ceremony today. According to Shamsul Azri, the 9.88-kilometre Serendah 2 Tunnel was successfully breached six months ahead of the original schedule. He said the installation of the tunnel's permanent lining had made impressive progress, with more than 7,500 meters completed before the breakthrough. The tunnel has an average height of 12 meters and a width of 13 meters – sufficient to accommodate two standard gauge railway tracks. 'Excavation work for the Serendah 2 Tunnel began in August 2022 and was initially scheduled for completion in December 2025. All civil works for this tunnel are expected to be fully completed by September 2026,' he added. The ECRL project involves the construction of 41 tunnels, totalling about 69 kilometres along the railway route. The 16.39-kilometre twin-bore Genting Tunnel, which is currently in the final stages of excavation, is expected to be fully breached by the middle of this month. The ECRL is a RM50.27 billion infrastructure project and has reached 84.59 per cent overall progress as of June 2025. — Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police: New safety measures eyed to prevent ECRL project site thefts
KUANTAN: Installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at specific locations is among the measures proposed to Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) to enhance security and curb thefts along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) alignment. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said this was among several suggestions put forward during multiple task force meetings between the police and MRL representatives. "The joint task force, established to strengthen cooperation in combating theft at project sites, has convened several times, with the next meeting scheduled for July 4. We have discussed proactive safety measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras at identified hotspots. "Some of the locations where thefts have occurred are in remote areas, so appropriate steps must be taken to prevent future incidents. Thefts were previously reported at project sites in Kuantan and Maran," he told reporters at the district police headquarters here today. Yahaya said police had proposed additional preventive measures, including hiring auxiliary police to ensure safety at the project sites. "Police are in continuous communication with the ECRL team, and we have urged their cooperation in providing immediate information in the event of any theft along the rail alignment. "Members of the public with information about individuals attempting to sell cables or construction materials are encouraged to report such activities to the police immediately," he said. Although no arrests have been made so far, Yahaya gave his assurances that police are investigating all possibilities, including the potential involvement of insiders. On June 25, Kuantan police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu revealed that eight cases of cable theft, resulting in estimated losses of RM217,000, were reported between Jan 1 and June 22 this year in Cherating, Gebeng, and Damansara, near here. The Pahang police task force was set up following concerns raised by MRL regarding recurring cable theft incidents along the ECRL route, which spans Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor. The 665km mega rail project, which passes through Bentong, Temerloh, Maran, and Kuantan in Pahang, is scheduled to begin operations in January 2027. Earlier today, Yahaya witnessed the handing over of duties of the Kuantan police chief and Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief. Kuantan deputy police chief Superintendent Mohd Adli Mat Daud is now acting district police chief with Wan Zahari appointed as the Perak Internal Security and Public Order Department chief starting tomorrow. Meanwhile, Superintendent Wan Aedil Wan Abdullah has been named the new Pahang CCID head.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- The Sun
Pahang police form task force to curb ECRL cable thefts
KUANTAN: Pahang Police will establish a task force to prevent theft at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project sites here. State Police Chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman stated that these activities are under their observation after receiving 10 police reports related to theft at the project's construction locations since last month, with estimated losses reaching RM200,000. He said that cases involving theft of cables and iron have been reported along the ECRL project route in Cherating, Gebeng, and Gambang here, and no arrests have been made so far. 'We are still tracking down the individuals involved, and strict action will be taken against them according to existing legal provisions,' he said when met by Bernama here today. Yahaya informed that those involved in cable theft cases can be prosecuted under Section 431A of the Penal Code for mischief by damaging cables. If convicted, they can face imprisonment for two years, a fine, or both. He added that his department also suggested that the project management acquire the services of auxiliary police to curb such thefts from continuing. 'We are ready to cooperate with Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) in addressing this issue, and the public is also urged to report to the police if they have information about any parties trying to sell cables and other construction materials,' he said. Meanwhile, he also warned the public not to buy stolen goods, as it is also an offence and can be prosecuted under Section 411 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine, or both, if convicted. Transport Minister Anthony Loke was reported today as saying that the Royal Malaysia Police must take firm action against cable theft cases at ECRL project sites, as such acts could disrupt the smooth progress and implementation of the project. Earlier, MRL had expressed concern following reports of cable theft detected at certain locations along the ECRL alignment, spanning across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor.
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Barnama
PDRM Urged To Take Firm Actions On Cable Thefts At ECRL Site
PUTRAJAYA, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) needs to take stricter action over cable thefts at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project site because they could affect the project's planning. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he had contacted Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ask the PDRM to take stricter action. He said the cable theft case cannot be considered an ordinary theft case because it affects public order and national security. 'I have asked the police to take action not only under the offence of theft. 'So, stricter action under stricter laws needs to be taken but I leave it to the police and the police's discretion to take action but we cannot consider this as ordinary theft,' he said in a press conference here today. Meanwhile, Loke said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) would implement mitigation and security measures at all ECRL sites to curb cable theft cases. MRL today expressed concern following the cable theft case which could affect the planning and train operation schedule of the ECRL project which is currently at a crucial phase ahead of completion in December 2026. MRL chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said several incidents of cable theft were detected at certain locations along the ECRL line, across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor. The 665-kilometre ECRL project is the largest infrastructure project under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Malaysia is expected to improve transport networks and stimulate economic development on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
