Latest news with #cabletheft
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Longer Sosma detention for 13 cable theft suspects
Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the 13 suspects will be detained for a maximum of 28 days to aid ongoing investigations. PETALING JAYA : Police have extended the detention of 13 people under the Sosma security law to facilitate their investigation into a cable theft syndicate believed to be sabotaging the nation's communications systems. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the suspects are being detained for suspected involvement in crimes intended to sabotage critical communications infrastructure in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. 'The cables stolen were crucial to the government's data infrastructure and security sector. 'Any disruptions in these facilities can trigger larger disruptions in the national communications system and threaten the public peace,' Sinar Harian quoted him as saying today. Hussein said the suspects will be detained for a maximum of 28 days to aid ongoing investigations. Previously, he said the syndicate was known as 'Sindiket Mulia', masterminded by two men with 36 and 29 previous criminal cases each, including drug-related offences. Hussein said the syndicate has made at least 23 cable sales at a scrap metal shop in Semenyih, with a total value of RM683,000. He also said five policemen were among the 16 people arrested earlier for suspected ties to the syndicate. 'Investigations found that the syndicate members received information from the police officers involved about areas with fewer patrols and so on,' he said. He said the syndicate was also aided by technicians and security guards from companies appointed by Telekom Malaysia.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Police arrest 13 under Sosma for communication cable theft targeting Selangor and KL's critical infrastructure
SHAH ALAM, May 30 — Police have arrested 13 individuals under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), in connection with their involvement in communication cable theft, believed to be with intent to sabotage major communication systems in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Selangor Police Chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that all suspects, arrested through Op Lusuh Mulia, committed these crimes along critical routes supporting government data infrastructure and the security sector. 'Disruptions to these facilities have the significant potential to affect the maintenance of telecommunication services and related communication infrastructure, thereby threatening public order. 'Therefore, all suspects will be further detained for a period not exceeding 28 days under the provisions of Section 4(5) of SOSMA to assist the ongoing investigation,' he said in a statement today. He added that the police are committed to combating crimes that can threaten national security and public well-being, while also calling for public cooperation to help curb criminal activities. The case is being investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code. Previously, Hussein was reported to have said that five police personnel, including two Sergeants and three Corporals, were mastermminds behind cable theft activities around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor for the past year. He stated that the police personnel, who were stationed at District Police Headquarters (IPD) and police stations around the two states, were among 16 suspects, including a woman, aged between 23 and 53, arrested for involvement in the syndicate known as 'Sindiket Mulia' (Mulia Syndicate), named after its leader. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
5 cops among 16 arrested for cable theft in Selangor, KL
Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the two sergeants and three corporals were arrested on May 22 at several locations in Cheras and Kajang. PETALING JAYA : Five police officers have been arrested over their alleged involvement in cable theft activities in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor over the past one year. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the two sergeants and three corporals, serving at district police headquarters and stations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, were among 16 suspects arrested in connection with a syndicate known as 'Sindiket Mulia', Bernama reported. 'Investigations found that the syndicate members received information from the police officers involved about areas with fewer patrols and so on,' he was quoted as saying. Hussein said the police officers had been under remand since May 23 to assist in investigations after being arrested on May 22 at several locations in Cheras and Kajang. He said the syndicate was also aided by technicians and security guards from companies appointed by Telekom Malaysia. According to Hussein, these policemen acted as insiders to inform syndicate members about which cable parts to cut to prevent alarms from being triggered. 'Every cable theft involved insiders who showed them where and how to steal the cables,' he said. Hussein said the stolen cables were taken to a plantation to have the copper extracted for sale to scrap metal dealers. He said the syndicate was masterminded by two men with 36 and 29 previous criminal cases each, including drug-related offences. 'Initial investigations found the syndicate had conducted 23 transactions at scrap metal shops around Semenyih, making an estimated RM683,000. We believe this syndicate has committed more than 23 thefts,' he said. Hussein said police seized a Toyota Hilux four-wheel-drive, a Proton Perdana, a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter lorry, 1.2 tonnes of metal, and metal-cutting equipment. He said the case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft, Section 431A of the Penal Code for mischief involving telegraph cables and wires, and Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for fraudulent possession of property.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
Five cops on cable theft syndicate's payroll among 16 arrested, say Selangor police
SEPANG, May 27 — Five police officers allegedly on the payroll of a cable theft syndicate were among 16 individuals arrested after Selangor police crippled the syndicate's year-long operation near Kampung Desa Putra here. Selangor police chief Commissioner Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the officers were allegedly paid between RM1,000 and RM2,000 each in exchange for confidential information on police crime prevention activities in the area where the syndicate operated. 'The stolen cables were burned to extract the metal, which was then sold to a scrap metal yard in Semenyih. The syndicate reaped hefty profits of around RM683,000. 'The spoils were distributed among the members, including the police officers, according to their roles,' he said during a press conference at the Sepang police headquarters today. The arrests followed a series of raids conducted between May 19 and 23. On May 19, police patrols discovered three suspicious vehicles transporting cables near an oil palm plantation. Two suspects were found outside the vehicles, while six others were caught burning cables to extract the metal. Further arrests were made on May 20, 22, and 23. Items seized included machinery and equipment used to extract the cable, as well as vehicles used to transport the stolen items. The detained police officers comprised three corporals and two sergeants. Hussein revealed that among those arrested were two outsourced contractors hired by a major utility company. They allegedly taught syndicate members how to evade system detection and extract cables without triggering alarms. Hussein urged the public to report any suspicious activities involving cable theft and to avoid engaging in transactions involving stolen cables. 'Cable theft is not only a crime but also threatens public safety, the economy, and societal harmony,' he said.
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Since 2014: Police dismantle cable theft syndicate linked to five-state crime spree
MARANG, May 15 — Police here have crippled a syndicate believed to be behind a string of underground cable thefts across several states since 2014. Known as 'Geng Apan Sungai Petani', all 12 male suspects, aged 22 to 43 and from Kedah and Penang, were arrested during a raid at a homestay in Kampung Baru Rhu Muda, here, on May 8, Marang police chief Supt Mohd Sofian Redzuan said. He said the operation was carried out with the Machang district police in Kelantan following surveillance on two vehicles at Jalan Kampung Sungai Kerak here around 5.30 am.'The suspects were seen cutting telecommunication cables and loading them into a Perodua Alza and a Perodua Axia, before heading to the homestay,' he told newsmen here later seized both vehicles, two keys, a safety helmet, four reflective vests, a hammer and over 200 pieces of stolen cable worth RM20,000. Drug tests showed 10 suspects were positive for methamphetamine, and all had criminal records, including for drug-related Sofian said the group is linked to 14 major thefts in Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Kelantan and posed as telco contractors and assigned specific roles among members, he said, adding that all have been charged under Section 379 and Section 34 of the Penal Code. — Bernama
