ECRL to deploy 200 auxiliary police after RM4m in cable theft losses

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will enhance its security measures against cable theft by deploying 200 auxiliary police personnel and installing advanced detection systems starting November.

Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd's CEO, Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, announced the anticipated commencement of operations by mid-December 2026, following successful System Integration Testing.

Additionally, an agreement for a proposed 30km extension from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang was reached between Malaysia and China, aiming to improve regional connectivity and freight services.

ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd's CEO, Zaidi Sharif, noted high interest from companies in the E-Loco freight service for its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — Some 200 auxiliary police personnel will be deployed at East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) hotspots from November as part of tighter security measures against cable theft and to ensure smooth rail operations.

Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said detection devices, alarm systems and closed-circuit television cameras had also been installed, while security guards and enforcement agencies were being engaged.

“Throughout the construction of the ECRL, we suffered losses of about RM4 million due to cable theft, including three cases last month,” he said at an ECRL operational readiness briefing for media editors today.

Darwis said MRL, as the project and asset owner, remained confident that the ECRL could begin operations by mid-December 2026, based on positive results from System Integration Testing (SIT).

He said progress in the testing and commissioning phase had allowed Fault-Free Runs (FFR) involving Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) for passenger services and electric locomotives (E-Locos) for freight services to begin this month, a month ahead of schedule, without compromising safety or quality.

Meanwhile, Darwis welcomed the agreement between the governments of Malaysia and China on the proposed 30km extension of the ECRL from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang.

He said the extension was expected to reuse about 18km of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) tracks between Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang, which have been out of service since 2005.

“The project will facilitate the movement of cargo from southern Thailand to Malaysia, while allowing us to explore the potential of extending the line,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the proposed extension following his recent working visit to China, saying it could connect Malaysia’s rail network with Thailand’s east coast rail system and strengthen links within the wider Pan-Asian rail network.

ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Zaidi Sharif, meanwhile, said its E-Loco freight service had attracted strong interest from major companies seeking to reduce transport costs and their carbon footprint.

“The E-Loco service will not operate on a fixed timetable but according to demand from companies requiring freight services, which will operate at night,” he said. — Bernama

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东海岸铁路连接线 (ECRL) 项目将从 11 月开始部署 200 名辅助警察人员并安装先进的检测系统，以加强其防盗电缆的安全措施。

马来西亚铁路有限公司首席执行官 Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak 宣布，在成功进行系统集成测试后，预计将于 2026 年 12 月中旬开始运营。

此外，马来西亚和中国就从哥打巴鲁到兰道班让延伸 30 公里的铁路达成协议，旨在改善区域连通性和货运服务。

ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd 的首席执行官 Zaidi Sharif 指出，由于 E-Loco 货运服务的成本效益和环境效益，各公司对其表现出浓厚的兴趣。

吉隆坡，10 月 6 日讯——为加强安保措施，防止电缆盗窃，确保铁路顺利运营，约 200 名辅警人员将于 11 月起部署在东海岸铁路 (ECRL) 热点地区。

马来西亚铁路连接有限公司（MRL）首席执行官拿督斯里达尔维斯·阿卜杜勒·拉扎克表示，他们已经安装了探测设备、警报系统和闭路电视摄像头，并聘请了保安人员和执法机构。

“在东海岸铁路建设过程中，由于电缆被盗，我们遭受了约 400 万令吉的损失，其中包括上个月发生的三起案件，”他在今天为媒体编辑举行的东海岸铁路运营准备情况简报会上说。

Darwis 表示，作为项目和资产所有者的 MRL 仍然有信心，根据系统集成测试 (SIT) 的积极结果，ECRL 可以在 2026 年 12 月中旬开始运营。

他表示，测试和调试阶段的进展使得涉及客运电力动车组 (EMU) 和货运电力机车 (E-Locos) 的无故障运行 (FFR) 得以在本月开始，比原计划提前一个月，且没有影响安全性和质量。

与此同时，达尔维斯对马来西亚和中国政府就拟议将东海岸铁路从哥打巴鲁延伸至兰道班让 30 公里达成的协议表示欢迎。

他表示，该延伸段预计将重新利用马来西亚铁道公司（KTMB）在巴西马斯和兰道班让之间约 18 公里的轨道，这些轨道自 2005 年以来一直处于停用状态。

他说：“该项目将促进货物从泰国南部运往马来西亚，同时使我们能够探索延长线路的潜力。”

马来西亚总理拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣在最近对中国进行工作访问后宣布了这项扩建计划，称该计划可以将马来西亚的铁路网与泰国东海岸的铁路系统连接起来，并加强与更广泛的泛亚铁路网的联系。

与此同时，ECRL Operation Sdn Bhd 首席执行官 Zaidi Sharif 表示，其 E-Loco 货运服务已引起众多寻求降低运输成本和碳足迹的大公司的浓厚兴趣。

他说：“电动货运列车服务不会按照固定时间表运行，而是根据货运公司的需求而定，而且会在夜间运行。”——马新社

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