MIRI: Three men have been arrested following an attempted theft of telecommunications cables inside a tunnel near Tamu Muhibbah here, an incident that caused network disruption in the area.
The suspects, all locals aged between 26 and 47, were detained shortly after midnight on April 15 during a targeted raid by Telekom Malaysia auxiliary police and officers from the Criminal Investigation Department at Miri District Police Headquarters.
The operations were launched after Telekom Malaysia’s monitoring centre detected irregularities in the network serving the area.
A patrol team sent to investigate traced the disturbance to the tunnel, where the three men were intercepted.
Preliminary investigations indicate the group had begun preparatory work to access and remove cable components when officers moved in.
A search of the scene uncovered tools and materials linked to cable theft, including cutting equipment and sections of fibre optic and copper wiring.
Police said the items suggested a deliberate attempt to extract high-value infrastructure assets.
All three suspects are being held on remand at Miri Central Police Station.
They are being investigated for attempted theft under Section 379 read together with Section 511 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Miri District Police Chief, ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah, said firm action would be taken against offences involving public infrastructure, warning that such crimes have consequences beyond immediate financial losses.
“Crimes involving telecommunications assets directly affect public connectivity and essential services. We will take decisive action not only against those who commit such acts, but also against any parties found dealing in stolen public property,” he said.
He urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Cable theft remains a persistent problem in Malaysia, largely driven by the resale value of copper and other recyclable materials.
Although industry players have strengthened surveillance and cooperation with enforcement agencies, such incidents continue to pose operational and economic risks.
The latest case underscores how even an attempted breach of network infrastructure can disrupt services, highlighting the need for continued vigilance as reliance on digital connectivity grows across urban and semi-urban areas.
