KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 18 -- Prasarana Malaysia Berhad has issued an urgent appeal for a national-level intervention to combat rampant cable theft, saying the crime cost the firm RM20.6 million over the past three years and caused a dramatic 68 per cent spike in incidents this year.

The rail operator warned that despite its extensive security measures, organised syndicates driven by high copper prices continue to disrupt services, directly affecting millions of public transport users in the Klang Valley.

Prasarana detailed its wide-ranging efforts to secure its 200km-plus rail network, which include deploying security personnel, conducting joint patrols with police, installing high-tech CCTV, and even using detection dogs.

However, these m...