A surge in global copper prices is fueling an increase in cable thefts along some of Malaysia’s busiest urban rail lines, causing significant disruptions for commuters in the Klang Valley region Authorities report that thieves have targeted critical infrastructure, including the high-speed MRT Putrajaya and Kajang lines, two of the most heavily used routes serving the area around the capital, Kuala Lumpur The incidents have escalated in recent weeks, causing major inconvenience for passengers and operational challenges for rail authorities
According to officials, the thefts have grown more audacious, moving beyond stripping earthing wires to cutting live cables Such acts pose a severe risk, as they could grind train operations to a complete halt, threatening the stability of the public transport network The problem is directly linked to the soaring value of copper, which has seen its demand increase globally The metal is an essential component in numerous industries, including power transmission, construction, electronics, and the manufacturing of electric vehicles, making it a valuable target for criminals The incidents highlight the vulnerability of essential public infrastructure to fluctuations in global commodity markets
Mohsin Rana
