Story perspectives

Rising Copper Prices Spark Surge in Rail Cable Thefts

3/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Copper prices in Malaysia are rising, fueling more cable thefts on urban rail lines.
Thieves target copper-embedded cables, disrupting Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya services, including Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Putrajaya and Kajang lines.
Authorities report that thieves are cutting live cables, risking a complete service shutdown.
Copper prices rose from US$9,623.50 per tonne in March 2025 to US$12,860 in early March 2026, while Malaysia's scrap copper trades at 41–45 ringgit per kg.

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Story summary

Copper prices in Malaysia are rising, fueling more cable thefts on urban rail lines.
Thieves target copper-embedded cables, disrupting Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya services, including Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Putrajaya and Kajang lines.
Authorities report that thieves are cutting live cables, risking a complete service shutdown.
Copper prices rose from US$9,623.50 per tonne in March 2025 to US$12,860 in early March 2026, while Malaysia's scrap copper trades at 41–45 ringgit per kg.