KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with the Selangor State Government, today launched the 2026 State-Level Campaign to Prevent Telecommunications Infrastructure Vandalism.
In a statement, the MCMC said the initiative, officiated by Menteri Besar Selangor Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, comes in response to a worrying surge in vandalism and cable theft across the state.
Recent data shows Selangor continues to record the highest number of telecom infrastructure vandalism cases in Malaysia, with 1,836 incidents in 2024 and 1,273 in 2025. The Central Region, encompassing Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, also reported the highest figures nationwide in 2025.
Acts such as cable theft, substation damage, and network cuts not only inflict significant losses on the industry but also disrupt internet access, daily communications, business operations, digital learning, and emergency services. Recent viral videos on social media have further highlighted the problem, showing cable thefts carried out openly, including in public areas during daylight hours.
“Such developments underscore the need for more robust and comprehensive action to address this issue,” the statement noted.
The campaign includes the establishment of a special committee involving MCMC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), local authorities, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and industry players to strengthen coordination, monitoring, and enforcement efforts. Public literacy and awareness sessions will be conducted with enforcement agencies and industry representatives to educate communities on the impact of vandalism on national security, the economy, and the continuity of communication services.
Targeted awareness programmes will be rolled out in high-risk areas such as Rawang, Gombak, and Bangi, in partnership with telecommunications companies and local communities. These programmes will continue throughout 2026, aiming to engage residents, teachers, parents, youths, village heads, and community leaders to report suspicious activities and actively protect local infrastructure.
In his address, Amirudin emphasised that “the security of telecommunications infrastructure is a crucial element in ensuring Selangor’s digital development agenda grows in a stable, safe, and sustainable manner.”
He called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, industry players, and the community, to work together in safeguarding communication networks, which underpin modern life and the state’s digital economy.
MCMC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic collaboration with all stakeholders to reduce the risk of service disruptions and ensure the digital well-being of citizens. The launch was attended by MCMC leadership, enforcement agencies, local authorities, telecommunications industry representatives, and community members. – May 19, 2026