SANDAKAN: A suspected cable theft in Karamunting left residents facing telecommunications and Internet disruptions, prompting calls for tougher action against vandalism of public infrastructure.
Residents near a block of flats in the Batu Sapi area said a man was spotted pulling and removing cables from a roadside pole between 7pm and 8pm recently.
Telecommunications services in the surrounding area were reported to have been affected shortly afterwards.
Karamunting assemblyman Alex Wong Tshun Khee said the incident showed how the theft or vandalism of even a single piece of infrastructure could disrupt services relied on by an entire community.
“This is not merely about stealing cables.
“It can disrupt communications, increase repair costs and expose the public to electrocution and road safety risks,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Wong said he had contacted the telecommunications company concerned and alerted police to the incident.
He urged the telco to repair the damaged infrastructure as soon as possible to minimise disruption to residents. Wong also called on residents to immediately alert police if they witnessed anyone stealing cables or damaging public facilities.
He said prompt reports were crucial as they would allow police to respond while an offence was still taking place and increase the chances of apprehending those responsible.
“Public infrastructure belongs to and serves the whole community. A single act of vandalism can ultimately inconvenience hundreds of people,” he said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and work with the authorities to prevent similar incidents.
