Stricter penalties planned for railway asset thieves and vandals in Malaysia

Malaysia's government is set to implement stricter punishments for offenses related to railway infrastructure, including trespassing, vandalism, and theft. This move aims to bolster the security of the nation's public transportation assets.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah stated that amendments to current legislation are under review and will be presented to Parliament by year-end. He acknowledged that the existing laws are insufficient, citing penalties as low as RM500 to RM1,000 for trespassing. "The existing laws are too weak," he remarked, emphasizing that cable theft, which impacts safety, will face severe penalties.

Hasbi's comments came in response to a query about measures against railway cable theft and the number of such incidents over the last three years. He revealed that 393 cable theft incidents were recorded during this period, involving 19,756 meters of cable and causing an estimated RM16.3 million in losses.

To combat these issues, the government is also implementing various initiatives. The Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) has installed 1,146 smart AI-powered CCTV units in high-risk areas at a cost of RM14 million. These measures are intended to disrupt the market for stolen goods and reduce the incentive for criminal activity.