MRT Putrajaya back to normal, after intrusion linked to cable theft attempt — third disruption in two weeks

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — The MRT Putrajaya line was restored to its normal schedule, after having experienced disruption for several hours this afternoon due to track trespassing.

In an announcement posted on social media at 6.13pm, Rapid KL rail operator Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd said train services for MRT Putrajaya resumed normal operations at 5.27pm, and that it had discontinued the alternative trains and shuttle buses.

Rapid Rail also said three individuals were reported to have intruded the tracks between the Sri Damansara Barat station and Sri Damansara Sentral station at 2.24pm today, with those individuals suspected of attempting to steal cables there.

Rapid Rail said it had immediately shut down power supply for these tracks to enable auxiliary police to carry out a comprehensive inspection and to trace the suspects at the scene.

Rapid Rail said the police had been deployed to the scene after receiving its report over the intrusion, and said it would cooperate with police to ensure further action could be carried out smoothly.

Rapid Rail did not say whether these three individuals had been successfully tracked down.

Earlier at 4.25pm, Rapid Rail said power supply between those two MRT stations (Sri Damansara Barat and Sri Damansara Sentral) had been shut down to ensure passenger safety, and alternative train and bus services had been activated. 

In that same announcement, Rapid Rail had said investigations are being carried out on an attempted cable theft along the MRT Putrajaya line.

“Prasarana’s auxiliary police team is now at the incident’s site to investigate the intrusion and to trace the suspect believed to be involved in an attempt to steal fibre optic cables,” Rapid Rail had said in the 4.25pm statement posted on Rapid KL’s social media page.

“Rapid Rail apologises for all the inconveniences experienced and truly appreciates the patience and cooperation of all users,” it had said.

Nearly two weeks ago, the MRT Putrajaya line had suffered disruptions lasting several days after signalling problems caused by suspected cable theft on October 25.

On October 31, the MRT Putrajaya line was also disrupted due to a track intrusion.

Delays on the MRT Putrajaya line were first announced at 8.39am on October 31, with the intruder announced at 9.28am as having been apprehended and services announced as fully restored past noon. Rapid KL had not announced whether this was linked to any suspected cable theft.