Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has put forward a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) to amend the current legislation, aiming to introduce more severe penalties for those involved in the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) cable theft incidents. Transport Minister Anthony Loke emphasized the seriousness of these thefts, highlighting their potential to jeopardize public safety and disrupt public transport operations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister stressed that the theft of cables should not be treated as a routine theft due to its far-reaching implications on public safety and transport services. "We have proposed to KDN to amend the existing law to provide harsher punishments for cable thieves. It is not just an offence to steal cables as it is also an offence to threaten public safety because the cables, when stolen, could cause accidents in the country's public transport system. So this is a very serious offence," Loke stated during a press conference.

Loke further mentioned having discussed the matter with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail last December, indicating that further actions are anticipated from the Home Ministry. The recent reports of MRT cable thefts have resulted in service interruptions and adversely affected the daily routines of public transport users.

The police have reportedly apprehended four suspects connected to the MRT cable theft on the Putrajaya Line, following an operation informed by intelligence and surveillance. Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) confirmed in a statement that these arrests were a collaborative effort between the Prasarana Police Assistance Unit and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) from the Selangor Contingent Headquarters (IPK).

The arrests followed a police report by Prasarana concerning a cable theft incident near the Sri Damansara Barat Station on March 3. This incident led to a three-day disruption of the MRT Putrajaya Line operations, causing inconvenience to numerous public transport users.