TAMBUNAN: Theft of telecommunications cables and electrical substation components is worsening in the district, with criminals believed to be turning the offences into a nightly routine.
The brazen actions not only cause losses to utility companies but also disrupt residents’ daily lives.
The latest incident occurred in Kg Kiawyaan, where thieves stole telecommunications cables located directly in front of a resident’s house.
The criminals have also expanded their targets to infrastructure belonging to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), with an incident reported in Kg Pupuluton, where an electrical substation in an oil palm plantation was broken into. The fence was damaged and equipment inside the substation was stolen.
Kg Monsok Kito resident Hackler Basik said the break-ins had severely affected basic services.
He said a previous theft at a telecommunications substation caused a total disruption to telephone services, and before the problem could be fully resolved, a SESB substation was targeted.
The repeated incidents have disrupted communication services and raised the risk of electricity supply interruptions, while exposed electrical wires left behind also pose a physical safety risk to residents.
More worrying, Tambunan residents now fear the criminals may go beyond stealing cables and begin targeting property outside their homes if the situation continues.
Growing anger among residents has also raised fears that some may take matters into their own hands if the problem is not addressed immediately.
To stop the chain of thefts, Tambunan residents are urging the police and local authorities to take immediate and stronger action by stepping up monitoring in high-risk areas and increasing patrols.
Authorities have also been urged to issue a stern reminder to all scrap metal dealers in the district to remain vigilant, check the source of goods being purchased and refuse suspicious items.
Any suspicious sale of electrical components or copper wires should be reported to the police immediately, as residents believe the thefts could be significantly curbed by preventing stolen goods from being sold to scrap dealers.