As of November this year, 27 cases of cable theft have been reported, resulting in disruptions to home and business connectivity, including essential services like banking and emergency response.
These incidents have also compromised public safety, caused extensive damage to infrastructure and incurred significant financial losses for Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN), the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure provider.
To date, UNN recorded 244 cases of theft or damage to infrastructure, leading to over 8,000 hours of service outages (including 1,044 hours in 2024 alone) and exceeding BND1 million in repair costs.
In light of this alarming trend, the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) and UNN urged the public to be aware of the serious consequences of telecommunications outages caused by cable theft.
These incidents not only disrupt daily activities but also pose significant risks to public safety and critical operations.
AITI and UNN emphasise the importance of public awareness and vigilance in strengthening infrastructure resilience and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. Laws and regulations outline strict penalties for damaging telecommunications infrastructure and individuals convicted of damaging infrastructure can face fines of up to BND50,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.
Contractors responsible for damage caused by earthworks may face fines of up to BND1 million and imprisonment for up to five years. Additionally, perpetrators may be liable for compensation for the damage caused.
Additional protection for telecommunications infrastructure include minimum penalties of three years’ imprisonment and four strokes of the cane and maximum penalties of 10 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane for theft, vandalism and other acts of damage.
AITI and UNN urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to cable theft to the Royal Brunei Police Force at 993. – James Kon
