ECRL Theft Case: 32nd Incident Recorded, RM3 Million in Cumulative Losses

The ECRL project has recorded its 32nd case of theft or vandalism along its alignment from Kota Bharu to Port Klang.

The theft and vandalism cases along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project continue, with the 32nd case along its alignment from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, to Port Klang, Selangor, recently recorded.

As reported by The Star, October alone saw more than nine cases take place, with the last two taking place just within 24 hours in Maran, Pahang. On Oct 10, thieves cut off a 30-metre stretch of contact wire that is part of the overhead line equipment (OHLE), thus requiring it to be replaced with a cable that is nearly a mile long.

The following day, on Oct 11, a signalling cable in a trench was cut but was not removed, where several hundred metres of cables are needed to replace them.

According to a spokesperson of China Communications Construction Company (CCC-ECRL), Shi Liang Hui, October alone saw a total of nine cases take place in various project sites, thus accumulating to 32 cases since the first one back in May this year.

The number of theft and vandalism cases for ECRL for May, June, August, Sept, and Oct are six, seven, one, nine, and nine, respectively, with no incidents in July. Going state-by-state, Pahang leads with 24 cases, followed by Terengganu at 7, and only one case has taken place in Kelantan so far this year.

Combined, these cases have led to cumulative losses amounting to around RM3 million, with all losses being borne by the contractor, at least for now.

Cable thefts and vandalism aren’t exactly a new issue in our local railway industry, as similar cases also took place in numerous railway projects, including KTM and Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL).

Despite these incidents, the ECRL project is still expected to begin its commercial service in early 2027, with the whole project completion hitting 87% as of August this year.

Source: The Star