Kuala lumpur: The government is in the final stages of amending pertinent laws to enforce stricter measures against trespassing, vandalism, and theft related to railway assets, as reported to the Dewan Rakyat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah highlighted that the amendments would introduce harsher penalties for cable theft offenders, with plans to present these changes to Parliament later this year. He emphasized the inadequacy of current laws, pointing out that trespassing penalties range from only RM500 to RM1,000. The amendments aim to impose severe penalties for cable theft that involves security concerns.

Responding to a query from Datuk Wira Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) regarding measures against railway cable theft and its frequency over the past three years, Hasbi noted that 393 incidents were recorded, affecting 19,756 meters of cable with estimated losses of RM16.3 million.

To tackle this issue, Hasbi mentioned enhancing strategic cooperation with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). This includes initiatives to engage with scrap metal operators and dealers to deter them from purchasing stolen goods, which is crucial for disrupting the market chain for stolen items and reducing criminal incentives.

The government is also implementing various initiatives such as installing 1,146 smart closed-circuit television (CCTV) units powered by artificial intelligence in high-risk areas, undertaken by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) at a cost of RM14 million. Additionally, drones have been introduced to bolster aerial surveillance in hotspot areas that are challenging to monitor through standard patrols.

Furthermore, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad has secured approval to acquire 20 scrambler motorcycles for the Auxiliary Police, aimed at enhancing patrols, expediting incident responses, and strengthening enforcement presence in vulnerable rail areas.