Latest news with #MalaysiaRailLink
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Pahang cops to set up anti-cable theft task force at ECRL sites
MRL had expressed concern following reports of cable theft at certain locations along the ECRL alignment, spanning Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Pahang police will establish a task force to prevent theft at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project sites in Kuantan. Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman said police had received 10 reports related to theft at the project's construction locations since last month, with estimated losses reaching RM200,000. He said cases involving theft of cables and iron had been reported along the ECRL project route in Cherating, Gebeng and Gambang, but no arrests had been made so far. 'We are still tracking down the individuals involved, and strict action will be taken against them according to legal provisions,' Bernama quoted him as saying. Those involved in cable theft may be prosecuted under Section 431A of the Penal Code for mischief by damaging cables, punishable by two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. Yahaya said police had suggested that the project management acquire the services of auxiliary police to curb such thefts. 'We are ready to cooperate with Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd in addressing this issue. 'The public is also urged to report to police if they have information about any party trying to sell cables or other construction materials,' he said. He also warned the public not to buy stolen goods as it was an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Penal Code with up to five years' imprisonment, a fine,or both, if convicted. Earlier today, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said police must take firm action against cable thefts at ECRL project sites as this could disrupt the smooth progress and implementation of the project. MRL also expressed concern following reports of cable theft at locations along the ECRL alignment, spanning Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor.
CNA
17 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link: Project at risk of delay from cable, equipment theft
KUALA LUMPUR: Reported theft of signalling equipment and communication cables could derail Malaysia's much-anticipated East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) at a critical phase before its target completion, according to the project's owner. Chief executive officer of Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Darwis Abdul Razak said several cases of theft had been detected at specific locations along the ECRL track which spans Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, reported local media on Monday (Jun 23). 'These incidents not only raise the cost of repairs and replacements but also risk delaying the train testing and commissioning schedule, which is expected to begin in June 2026,' Darwis said in an interview with a Malaysian media delegation in Beijing. The project's targeted completion is December 2026. Over 1,200m of signalling cables have been reported stolen along its alignment, with 81 outdoor transformer units also removed, according to The Star. Since the start of the communications, information and signaling systems installation at the Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah Station in Pahang in March, the thieves have struck at least seven locations. These include Paya Besar, Cherating, and Kuantan Port City in Pahang, Chukai, Dungun and Kemasik in Terengganu as well as Pasir Puteh in Kelantan, reported local media. Darwis, quoted by Free Malaysia Today, said 2025 marked the most critical phase of the project, with the installation of communication, information, and signalling systems underway at the Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah station, and due to proceed simultaneously at other stations soon. At areas near that station, ECRL's main contractor - China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) - discovered that some fibre optic cables had been left behind after being cut. While the extent or value of the damage has not been officially disclosed, The Star reported that fibre optic cables are considered worthless in the scrap market as it does not contain metal and the 1,200m of stolen signalling cable contained some metal. According to MRL, the thieves had used non-professional cutting tools to get the job done hastily and even came with transportation. In response to concerns raised by MRL, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Monday that he had asked the police to take firmer action against cable theft incidents along railway tracks. 'Firstly, MRL will implement mitigation measures to ensure greater safety at the site. However, I have also contacted the home minister to request that the police take firmer action on this matter,' he said, as quoted by Yahoo News. He added that such theft is not exclusive to the ECRL but has also plagued Peninsular Malaysia's main rail operator, Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). Loke said cable theft should not be treated as a normal crime, as it poses a threat to national security. 'I have openly called for the police to treat this not merely as a case of theft. This involves public safety, it disrupts public order, and it affects national security. 'Therefore, stricter action under more stringent laws should be taken. That said, I will leave it to the discretion of the police to decide the appropriate course of action, but we cannot treat this as just an ordinary case of theft,' he added. With operations set to begin in 2027, MRL's Darwis said that if CCCC fails to complete the project on time, the conglomerate could incur losses of RM1.25 million (US$292,021) per day. MRL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance (Incorporated), is the owner of the RM50 billion mega infrastructure project, while CCCC is the main contractor. As the project owner, MRL has lodged police reports on the recent incidents and is stepping up security measures, including the appointment of a dedicated security firm to monitor and safeguard ECRL assets on the ground, Darwis told the media. 'We are also counting on continued cooperation from the authorities and local communities to help curb this crime. This is a national project that we must protect together,' said Darwis, as quoted by local news agency Bernama. He also plans to meet with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the police chiefs of the affected states to seek their cooperation and solutions to the issue. According to Bernama, the project was 83.38 per cent complete as of May, on track to meet its targeted deadline of December. In other developments, Darwis said the first two electric multiple-unit train sets, along with two electric locomotives for freight operations were expected to arrive in Malaysia by the end of the year, with subsequent sets arriving in stages from April 2026. 'System and train testing and commissioning are scheduled to begin in June 2026. This is a crucial phase that will determine our readiness to begin operations,' he said. The ECRL megaproject linking the Klang Valley in Selangor to the east coast states in Malaysia aims to cut the journey from Gombak, Selangor to Kota Bharu, Kelantan from at least seven hours by car to around four hours by train. Spanning 665km, it is the largest infrastructure project under China's Belt and Road initiative in Malaysia. With speeds of up to 160kmh, the ECRL travels through the Titiwangsa mountains dividing peninsular Malaysia before snaking its way across the vast east coast carrying both goods and passengers. The ECRL was announced in 2016 as a main infrastructure connectivity project that will help propel the Malaysian economy into the top 20 nations by 2050. The line from Kota Bharu, Kelantan to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, Selangor was scheduled for completion by December 2026 and to be operational from January 2027. It is also expected to create an economic spillover effect for local residents as investors set up industries along the line. A rail extension from Gombak to Port Klang is expected in December 2027. MRL - which will own all ECRL assets - has set up a joint venture company with ECRL's main contractor CCCC - to operate the rail line. The joint venture means the two entities will jointly share the costs of operating the ECRL and exchange technical know-how and expertise. Under the arrangement, if the ECRL operates at a deficit, MRL and CCCC will each bear 50 per cent of the risk. If the ECRL operates at a surplus, MRL will get 80 per cent of the earnings, while CCCC will get the remaining 20 per cent.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Stricter action needed as cable thefts rampant, says Loke
PUTRAJAYA: Stricter action should be taken against cable thieves whose crimes have resulted in setbacks at the sites of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Loke said cable thefts should not be treated as just a normal case of theft, as they involve national security. "This cable theft issue is not limited to the ECRL project. As I have previously disclosed, KTMB has experienced various delays due to similar incidents. "I am urging the police to act firmly. I have openly called on the police to pursue this not merely as a regular theft case, as this involves public safety. It affects public order and poses a threat to national security. "Stricter legal action under more severe laws needs to be taken. However, I leave it to the wisdom of the police to determine the appropriate course of action. But we cannot treat this as just a normal case of theft," he said at a press conference here today. It was reported that the target to complete the much-touted ECRL project by December next year is facing an unexpected obstacle following the theft of signalling equipment and communication cables. Over 1,200m of signalling cables were reported stolen along its alignment, with 81 outdoor transformer units also removed. According to Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd, the thieves used non-professional cutting tools to complete the job hastily and even brought their transportation. Loke said the authorities will implement mitigation measures to ensure greater safety at the site, and he had also contacted the home minister on the issue.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
ECRL setback linked to site theft
Missing parts: Signalling cables have been reported stolen, with outdoor transformer units also removed along the ECRL line. PETALING JAYA: The target to complete the much-touted East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project by December next year is facing an unexpected obstacle – theft of signalling equipment and communication cables. The contractors have a fight on their hands with over 1,200m of signalling cables reported stolen along its alignment, with 81 outdoor transformer units also removed. According to Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd, the thieves used non-professional cutting tools to get the job done hastily, and even came with transportation. While cable theft or vandalism is a common problem, thefts along the ECRL track are distressing as the cables and transformers are custom-made, with usual delivery time taking up to six months. The 665km ECRL, which connects the Klang Valley to the East Coast, is scheduled to be completed by December next year. It will carry both passengers and freight from the west coast of the country to the east and vice- versa, with speeds of up to 160kph for passenger trains and 80kph for freight trains. The project, which began in 2017, has recorded an overall progress of 82.45%. MRL is the special purpose entity to execute the ECRL project. 'CLICK TO ENLARGE' MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said there were at least two known instances of such thefts along the ECRL alignment. 'The thefts may delay the project delivery. 'We were very much looking forward to the testing and commissioning phase in June next year,' he added. Since the start of the Communications, Information and Signaling (CIS) systems installation at the ECRL KotaSAS Station in Pahang this March, thieves have struck at no less than seven locations – Paya Besar, Cherating and Kuantan Port City (all in Pahang); Chukai, Dungun and Kemasik (Terengganu) and Pasir Puteh in Kelantan. At the areas near the KotaSAS Station, the contractor involved, China Communications Construction ECRL Project (CCCC-ECRL) found that some fibre optic cables were left behind after being cut. Fibre optic cables are said to be worthless in the scrap market as it does not contain metal. However, the 1,200m of signalling cable which were stolen did contain some metal. Darwis said MRL will meet with the respective state police chiefs to discuss comprehensive asset protection measures and also raise the issue with the relevant ministers. Observers note that protecting trackside assets was difficult as cables were often placed in concrete troughs, with thieves just needing to remove the cover to gain quick access to the cable bundle. Darwis said CCCC-ECRL will bear the losses from the thefts as the project has not been handed over to the government yet. 'That said, we as the project owner will also do our part to curb this problem. The ECRL project team is working closely with police to engage those in the scrap collection or recycling business,' he said. 'We have engaged security personnel to patrol the areas and will install CCTVs at critical areas, although it is not easy to keep watch over such a long alignment,' he said. It is learnt that the on-ground portions of the entire alignment will be eventually fenced up to prevent intrusions. 'In the meantime, we appeal to the public to help us by quickly alerting authorities if they spot suspicious activities along the alignment,' Darwis said. Yuslizar Daud, former head of the Land Public Transport Commission's (now defunct SPAD) Rail Division, said these types of theft were tough to overcome. 'It happens all over the world. In the United Kingdom, Network Rail lost almost £20mil (RM114.4mill) a year due to cable theft. 'Here, thieves are very smart and well-organised, with intricate networks. They are always 100 steps ahead of the operators,' he said. Yuslizar said the only way to effectively resolve the problem was for all rail operators to come together and share intelligence, resources and data. CCCC-ECRL managing director Deng Bo said theft or vandalism of rail infrastructure was a serious crime in China as it threatened the safety of rail operations, and hence, public safety. Officials said if equipment theft continues unabated, Malaysia will suffer losses as it will have to bear half the operational losses, if any, when the trains start running by early 2027.
South China Morning Post
23-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing's approach to South China Sea tensions: reduce now, resolve later
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent Southeast Asian tour has put the South China Sea – a simmering cauldron of territorial and maritime disputes – back into focus. Advertisement Amid joint statements brimming with diplomatic finesse, Beijing is sending a clear message: it seeks to manage tensions and not escalate them while keeping its strategic compass firmly pointed towards cooperation and regional stability. The statements – issued alongside Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur – emphasise peaceful dispute resolution, adherence to international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and an aversion to escalations. Against a backdrop of United States-Philippines military drills and lingering scepticism about Beijing's intentions, Xi's tour revealed a nuanced diplomatic playbook. Far from the caricature of an expansionist power, China is signalling its willingness to embrace international law, pragmatic dispute resolution and a vision of shared prosperity that respects Asean. Beijing wants to keep South China Sea disputes in their proper place – significant, yes, but not the be-all and end-all of ties with neighbours. The China-Vietnam joint statement shows that both sides want to manage their differences to boost cooperation. Similarly, the China-Malaysia joint statement frames maritime cooperation as just one pillar of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Malaysia's proposed East Coast Rail Link. Photo: Malaysia Rail Link
