Lee signing the campaign poster at the launch of TM Cable Theft Crime Prevention Campaign at SK Tudan, as Mohd Azmi (third left), Lai (left) and others look on.
MIRI: Sarawak is among the states with the highest number of Telekom Malaysia (TM) Bhd cable thefts, with 1,053 cases recorded in 2013.
The number of cases reported last year, however, showed a decline of 27 per cent to only 771.
Speaking at TM Cable Theft Crime Prevention Campaign at SK Tudan here yesterday, TM head of occupational safety, health and environment (OSHE) Mohd Azmi Mohd Shah said police managed to reduce the cable theft incidents by 53 per cent to 93 cases in the first three months of this year.
“Even though there is drop in number of cable theft cases in the state, I am deeply concerned because this criminal act had shifted from other divisions to Miri, where we can see a lot of cases reported in areas like Lutong, Pujut, Tudan and Senadin,” Mohd Azmi said, adding that an average of two cases were recorded for each week of last month.
He added that TM was taking a serious look at the crime as it had caused huge losses not only to the company but also to customers.
Mohd Azmi said at least 100 customers including homes, offices and schools would be affected whenever a cable was stolen.
TM, he said, had taken several preventative measures and initiatives to curb the problem.
“Among others, we are enhancing patrols, installing cable theft warning system known as I-Watch and build stronger rapport with the locals,” Mohd Azmi said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Communications and Senadin assemblyman Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who was also present at the event yesterday, called on the Resident’s Office and police in set up a special taskforce in tackling the problem.
He said the task force should start with areas known for rampant cable theft cases; namely Tudan and Senadin.
“Cable theft is not only causing huge loss to TM and customers, it is also hindering government and TM’s effort to expand its Internet network to all areas in Miri,” Lee pointed out.
Thus, he called on all parties to play their part to ensure their residential areas are free from any criminal act including cable theft.
“We must not only talk but also act. I do not believe that we
cannot solve this problem. All of us must work together to get the culprits,” he said.
Among others present at the event yesterday were Miri mayor Lawrence Lai, TM Sarawak general manager Sarbini Hamdan and Miri Deputy Resident Emang Oyo Emang.