Cable thefts at key Malaysian train lines soar amid copper’s red-hot demand

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Iman Muttaqin YusofMarch 13, 2026 at 09:01 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Cable thefts are increasing on key Malaysian train lines, including the MRT Putrajaya and Kajang lines in the Klang Valley, disrupting commuter services. The thefts, driven by the high demand and rising prices of copper, have escalated from earthing wires to live cables, posing a significant threat to train operations. Global copper prices have surged due to tighter supply and increased demand from various sectors, reaching record highs. In Malaysia, scrap copper is fetching approximately US$10 to US$11 per kilogram, incentivizing the illegal activity. Authorities are struggling to combat the problem, which is causing major inconvenience for commuters.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reuters 30% MRT Putrajaya Line 60% Kajang Line 60% Klang Valley 60% Kuala Lumpur 70% Putrajaya ×270% Malaysia ×290%

Keywords

cable theft 100% copper prices 90% train disruption 80% urban rail lines 70% copper 60% power transmission 50% electrification 40% klang valley 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.40

Source Transparency

Source

South China Morning Post

Political Lean

Center-Right (0.50)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Malaysia

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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cable theft copper prices train disruption urban rail lines copper power transmission electrification klang valley

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