KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd has raised concerns that ongoing thefts of key components along the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) alignment may delay the completion of the project.
In a statement today, the company said contact wires were stolen from sections between Temerloh, Lanchang and Bentong over the past two weeks, following earlier cable and transformer thefts detected in June.
“A total of 1,080 metres of contact wire between Temerloh and Lanchang, and 599 metres between Lanchang and Bentong, have been stolen,” the company said.
It added that the thefts have not only raised repair and replacement costs but could also disrupt the ECRL’s construction schedule, as custom-made parts require months to procure.
“These incidents threaten to delay the overall progress of the ECRL project, which plays a crucial role in delivering long-term social and economic benefits to the East Coast region and the nation,” it said.
The company said reports have been lodged with the Lanchang police station and it is working with the authorities to investigate.
However, with the project spanning 665km, CCCECRL called for public cooperation in safeguarding the railway, urging the public not to buy stolen components and to report suspicious activities to police or the nearest ECRL section office.
