Perak: The Perak State Government has taken a significant step in addressing the growing problem of cable theft and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure by forming the Perak State Network Integrity and Security Committee. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration with various agencies to effectively tackle issues related to open manholes and the destruction of telecommunication systems.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Communications, Multimedia, and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi announced that the committee was established on May 12. It will focus on coordinating enforcement, monitoring, and preventive measures to address the increasing incidents of cable theft and vandalism, which have raised concerns over public safety and the stability of the communications network in Perak.
The newly formed committee will collaborate with several entities, including the Perak State Legal Advisor's Office, the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), the Local Government Division of the Perak State Secretary's Office, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), police, Telekom Malaysia (TM), and telecommunications service providers. Mohd Azlan shared these details at a press conference attended by Perak MCMC director Mohd Irwan Mohamed at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building.
Azlan highlighted that based on TM's latest data up to March this year, there have been 377 recorded cases of open manholes, marking a 68 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The high market value of copper is believed to be a significant factor driving these crimes, resulting in underground cable theft and damage to telecommunications facilities in the state.
To effectively combat these issues, the state government plans to enforce stricter legal provisions under Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. This law allows for stringent actions against individuals involved not only in cable theft but also in damaging, tampering with, or sabotaging telecommunications infrastructure.
Additionally, the public is encouraged to report information to the authorities through existing channels such as the TM helpline, police reports, or the MCMC portal. Providing evidence, including closed-circuit camera (CCTV) recordings, can aid in prosecuting offenders and enhancing the effectiveness of combating these crimes.