KOTA SAMARAHAN, Oct 28: The federal government has been urged to review the Second-Hand Dealers Ordinance and impose heavier penalties on buyers of stolen utility cables and equipment to curb theft and vandalism in Sarawak.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunications Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the existing penalties were considered insufficient to deter the purchase of stolen goods.
“The Second-Hand Dealers Ordinance comes under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Hopefully, this matter can be raised and considered, with heavier penalties imposed,” he said at the launch of the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunications Facilities Vandalism Prevention Programme 2026 here today.
Julaihi said there had been cases where cables and metal components stolen from utility infrastructure were sold as second-hand goods, despite being new items.
