Cops arrest 2 TM workers, 6 others, over alleged telco cable theft

 

Police seized 242 cut TM cables, two lorries, a four-wheel drive vehicle, a van, and various tools used in the theft. (PDRM pic)

GEORGE TOWN: 

Police detained eight men, including two Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) employees, suspected of stealing telecommunication cables.

Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the suspects, aged 31 to 42, were caught around 6am today at Jalan Tanjung Bungah.

Besides the two TM employees, the remaining six work as subcontractors for the company, he said.

Rozak said police officers initially spotted the group cutting cables by the roadside and when questioned, the men presented a work order allegedly issued by TM.

“Suspicious of its authenticity, police sought to verify the document with TM representatives, who confirmed that no such authorisation had been granted for cable work in the area,” he said in a statement.

Police also seized 242 cut TM cables, two lorries, a four-wheel drive vehicle, a van and various tools used in the theft.

Rozak said four of the suspects had prior criminal records related to drugs and ketum, while the rest had no record of having committed offences.

He added that TM estimated losses from the theft at RM100,000.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft, which carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both upon conviction. - FMT