ECRL setback linked to site theft
By MENG YEW CHOONG
Nation
Monday, 23 Jun 2025


Missing parts: Signalling cables have been reported stolen, with outdoor transformer units also removed along the ECRL line.Missing parts: Signalling cables have been reported stolen, with outdoor transformer units also removed along the ECRL line.

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.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025...d-to-site-theft

welcome to malaysia!

thieves and robbers are everywhere

the biggest thief and robber also can go around freely

top like that, so bottom follow suite, normal la ~

KTM is rotten from top to bottom

lol

I recommend shoot to kill to send a message! Mofo!

Tembak je. Hire armed security to watch.
South Africa style.

never ending story.

just declare the track is shoot on sight site. siapa curi terus tembak.

they need to classify the facitility and infra as protected area like Pengerang under Protected Places under Act 298

So , when going to blame deep state and little napoleons?

kan ada signboard tembak orang "penceroboh akan didakwa?"

This one I agree

Deploy the military to patrol on the tracks

If Malaysia can shoot on sight Vietnamese boat people, Malaysia can shoot on sight anyone on the tracks

no put electrical fence? LOL

must be some insider job who knows how

I think the tracks/infrastructure are gazetted under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 tho?

sometime the tip is given by internal/maintenance contractor themselves.

more theft means more supply or/and extended contracts.

In construction site theft normally occur when subcon are not paid

The subcon usually hold their worker wage if no payment then the worker will steal materials and equipment to recoup their loss wages

Stealing from construction site require some insider cooperation, normal drug addicted mat pet won't be able to do it

This post has been edited by Imp Bron: Jun 23 2025, 09:24 AM

Electrify the top of the perimeter fence double as power transmission cable

Then once a week do monitor / cleaning for any corpse

cb punya thief

OWAI-

Death penalty saje

building construction sites, yea... not everyone can just walk in and steal since security

but open and public sites, anyone can just walk around and steal

like got 1 news ppl cutting copper cables and kena electrocuted and died, that one just publicly cut open the cables

Yes , deswai a live transformer also can easily be dismantle and moved

Means the same equipment, tools and people are used

nobody will suspect someone with valid permit to steal what they work on

Yes mat pet will do that, cut big cable and died

But they won't know what equipment is valuable what is not inside a service box, only insider know that, also they won't know the path on the construction site which route to take. They also won't know how to pass security gate using vehicle, won't know how to hire lorry or 4wD to get inside the site carry those stolen equipment.

Mat pet only knows how to cut copper cable and carry it with motorcycle, everything else they don't know.

This very likely the work of insider

This post has been edited by Imp Bron: Jun 23 2025, 09:36 AM