Kuala lumpur: A total of 38 cases of cable and other component thefts in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project were recorded in the Terengganu and Pahang stretch, from January to September this year, involving RM2.9 million in losses. Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak stated that several security measures have been implemented to address this issue.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the company and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have installed 116 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and hired 67 security guards to monitor areas frequently targeted for theft. Darwis emphasized the importance of continuous efforts and cooperation from all involved states to tackle the problem, warning that ongoing thefts could impact the ECRL’s operational launch.

Darwis mentioned that incidents have been recorded in both Terengganu and Pahang, indicating that the issue is not localized. He highlighted the necessity for regular engagements with relevant parties to mitigate the risk of thefts, which could potentially delay the opening of ECRL operations.

In terms of progress, Darwis reported that the ECRL project in Terengganu has achieved 93.55 percent completion. Overall, the ECRL project has reached 88.08 percent completion, with plans to fully complete the project by December 2026 and commence operations in January 2027.