By Zaki Salleh & Anne Das
IPOH: Residents of Taman Desa Tambun and Puncak Tambun have voiced concerns over the rising number of telephone cable thefts in their housing areas.
The crimes are believed to occur at night, carried out in groups of three to four individuals. They use vehicles, including four-wheel drives, to pull cables that have been cut from underground channels.
According to residents, the perpetrators’ well-organised methods suggest that they have in-depth knowledge of cable work and telecommunication infrastructure.
Apart from the security threat posed by the theft itself, residents are also troubled by the aftermath, especially open cable pits left exposed after the cables are stolen. These pits are located near houses, on road shoulders, and in parking areas, posing serious accident risks for children, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even pets.
“A pet dog once fell into one of these pits. This shows the level of danger we face if the issue is not addressed immediately,” said Mohamed Nasir Marzuki, Deputy Chairman of the Taman Desa Tambun and Puncak Tambun Residents’ Association.
He added that he himself had lodged a police report on the matter at the Tambun Police Station on July 17. So far, it is understood that 12 police reports have been filed by residents regarding the cable theft cases.
Residents say their fear goes beyond inconvenience. In the evenings, many children cycle along the residential streets, and families take evening walks. The danger of an unseen open pit is constant, especially after dark. A single misstep could result in serious injury to a child, an elderly pedestrian, or even damage to vehicles.
The incident in Tambun is not isolated. Similar cable thefts have been reported across Ipoh, including arrests made in Taman Canning last year where suspects were caught opening manholes to pull underground cables. In March this year, a man died attempting to steal a cable in Taman Silibin Ria after an explosion occurred.
These recurring cases have heightened concerns among residents that their neighbourhoods are being targeted, and they fear it is only a matter of time before someone is badly hurt.
Residents are urging the relevant utility company to immediately seal the exposed pits for public safety and to prevent unwanted incidents.
“We hope the responsible parties will not wash their hands of this. Don’t wait until there is an injury or loss of life before taking action,” Mohamed Nasir stressed.
They are also calling for stronger enforcement against syndicates believed to be behind the thefts, hoping the authorities will act swiftly to put an end to the crimes that threaten both safety and quality of life in Ipoh’s housing areas.
