Minister: S’wak lost RM20 mln to utility infrastructure vandalism in 2022-2023
Utility infrastructure vandalism from 2022 to 2023 has resulted in Sarawak losing about RM20 million, says Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
Last year alone, 1,406 vandalism cases were reported, incurring a loss of RM19.7 million, he said.
“Total number of vandalism cases had increased from 521 in 2022, to 1,406 cases in 2023 – up by 170 per cent.
“In 2022, total loss was at RM3.8 million, while in 2023, we suffered a loss of RM19.7 million,” he was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting on vandalism cases involving utility and telecommunications assets, at the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) headquarters here on Thursday.
Julaihi said vandalism to utility infrastructures such as water supply, electricity and communication facilities had been a key challenge faced by the ministry in recent years, noting that the rising number of cable theft cases had become a worrisome trend.
“From January to March this year, there were 45 vandalism cases involving copper assets. Compared to last year in the same period, there were 27 cases reported.
“Vandalism has caused losses amounting to millions of ringgit to utility infrastructures in Sarawak.
“This kind of vandalism has caused a halt in communication, and the cutting of component cable can lead to delay in connecting the telecommunication services in the affected area,” he said, adding that this prompted his ministry to launch a large-scale anti vandalism campaign.
“We admit that it is difficult to totally eliminate vandalism, so what we can do is to reduce or minimise through this campaign so that we can promote awareness of the negative impacts of vandalism to the community,” he said.
Julaihi said a series of events would be held to coincide with the launch of the proposed campaign, where Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg would be expected to officiate at the main event, to take place either in June or July, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK)
“We aim to invite 3,000 participants to the launch of the campaign,” said Julaihi.