KTMB Train Services Face Major Delays Due To Cable Theft

Cable theft continues to plague Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad’s (KTMB) operations, occurring almost monthly. Recent incidents, targeting signaling and communication systems, impacted three northern routes, with yesterday's delays reaching over an hour.

Reports from Bernama indicate 200 meters of cable were stolen from the Tapah Road-Sungkai line at Km250.5, 110 meters from the Kamunting-Bukit Merah-Bagan Serai route at Km87.25, and 40 meters from the Simpang Ampat-Bukit Mertajam line at Km15.5.

Service disruptions affected several trains, including EG9321 (Butterworth to Segamat), EX9107 (Butterworth to KL Sentral), EX9207 (Padang Besar to KL Sentral), EG9420 (Segamat to Padang Besar), and EP9172 (KL Sentral to Butterworth). Additionally, the Northern KTM Komuter service experienced a 30-minute delay on its Ipoh-Butterworth-Ipoh route.

KTMB communicated service disruptions to passengers via SMS and social media, according to its Chief Operational Officer, Zain Mat Taha who also noted 45 cable thefts in the north between January and May.


Cable thefts resulted in losses of RM1.28 million for the rail operator last year and RM162,000 up to March this year. In response, KTMB will allocate RM12.8 million annually for three years to enhance its signalling network in high-risk locations.

To enhance security, the rail operator will deploy CCTV cameras, drones, anti-climb fencing, and locked manhole covers at 21 key locations. KTMB auxiliary police will also increase patrols in high-risk areas in cooperation with law enforcement to prevent theft, Zain stated.