Telecom Infrastructure Theft Cost Pahang Over RM3mil in 2025
Cables, batteries, equipment cards, diesel and remote radio units were among items stolen, disrupting services for consumers.
Vandalism and theft at telecommunication infrastructure in Pahang caused losses of more than RM3 million in 2025.
State communications and multimedia, youth, sports and non-governmental organisation committee chairman Fadzli Kamal said the thefts had caused communication disruptions that affected the daily affairs of consumers.
He said cables, batteries, communication equipment cards, diesel and remote radio units were among the items stolen from communication infrastructure.
"The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is always cooperating with the police to tackle these vandalism and theft cases," he told reporters after officiating the state-level campaign on the prevention of vandalism and theft at telecommunication infrastructure.
Fadzli also urged telecommunication service providers to carry out their responsibilities by ensuring that security gates at tower areas are always locked to prevent such incidents.
He said the state government, through the local authorities, had also laid out regulations requiring service providers to submit reports with photographs on the condition of the infrastructure before their licences are renewed.
The state-level campaign is aimed at raising public awareness of the impact of theft and vandalism on telecommunication networks, which not only saddle operators with losses but also cut off users from call and internet services.
Telecommunication assets such as towers and equipment rooms are often sited in isolated areas, making them easy targets for thieves seeking high-value components such as copper cabling and batteries.
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