Remnants of cut cables attached to poles in Tarat area some 56km away from Kuching.
Kapitan Chai Ming Bong
Philip Lee Koi Chee
Cable theft paralyses telecommunication link in Tarat, residents fume over dead telephone lines
SERIAN: Cable theft in Tarat is so serious that Internet, facsimile and land line connectivity is almost completely cut off in the township and its surrounding area.
Cable thieves first struck the area about five months ago and apparently encouraged by the ease and impunity in committing the thefts, they have stepped up their activities three months ago.
The local people have become very frustrated by the constant breakdown of telecommunication services as they have to depend solely on mobile phones to get connected and conduct their daily businesses.
Kapitan Chai Ming Bong, 80, said even schools in the areas were very much affected because Internet connectivity had been severely disrupted.
“Computer lessons using the Internet could not be carried out. In order to have access to the limited Internet services, some teachers have to wake up early in the morning (at 2am) to use the Internet to keep in touch with Education Department officers.
“It is very inconvenient. The situation is so serious now that everyone is affected one way or another,” said Chai.
Meanwhile, a committee member of Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philip Lee Koi Chee, a local businessman, said about 80 per cent of cable in the villages had been cut and stolen, pointing out that cut cables could be seen dangling everywhere.
“Our land line sounds like it is functioning but it is not. When people call us, there is a ringing tone on their side. But on our side, the phone is not ringing at all. And that has caused much confusion and inconvenience to us. We are now relying totally on mobile phones to conduct businesses. Something really has to be done. This cannot go on forever,” said Lee.
Businesses have been badly affected but the people had to live with it as it seems nothing much could be done to stop the thefts,” he fumed.
“I sometimes go around hoping to catch the thieves in the act. But until now, I have not managed to see anyone. Most of the theft cases happened along village and feeder roads. Those along Kuching-Serian road are safe.
“The authorities tried to help but each time they replaced the cables the thieves would come back again a few days later to steal them again
“I was told that a kilogramme of copper could fetch RM40 to RM50. Even the rubber insulator round the cables fetches a good price. It is not surprising that thieves work hard to steal it,” said Lee.
Describing cable theft as a disease that is spreading across the state, Lee said the problem had to be tackled at the roots – via the enforcement of the Secondhand Dealers Act 1946 to Sarawak.
“With the Act thieves would have difficulties in finding a dealer. The dealers, on the other hand, should not buy stolen items for the good of society,” said Lee.