By: Aida Aziz
IPOH: The Mayor of Ipoh, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, acknowledged that once again, overflow light cables at Perak Stadium, here, were reported missing on May 11, with an estimated loss of RM78,000.
Rumaizi said that through the Ipoh City Council (MBI), they will install a total of 17 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the area, with an estimated cost of RM50,000.
“The theft occurred in early May at night. The same room was forcefully entered, which houses the cables and overflow light components. We did lock the room, but the burglars broke the lock.
“We suspect that this work was done by more than three individuals. Although there are guards in the guard posts area, it is a vast area, and there are many locations where burglars can enter.
“They stole one of the overflow light components or copper. One piece of copper is valued at around RM1,300, and they stole about 50 of them,” he said.
“We will install CCTV cameras and alarm systems in each of those overflow light rooms, and we will place 17 CCTV units around the Perak Stadium area.
Furthermore, the large trees there, which served as access points for them to climb and enter the stadium area, have been cut down,” he said.
He said this to reporters during a media session after officiating the Appointment Letter Presentation and Briefing the Residents’ Representative Committee (JPP) and Area Officer at Indera Mulia Stadium, here on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Rumaizi said that the installation of the CCTV cameras is expected to be completed by July.
Previously, news about the theft went viral on the Facebook account of TBG Super Fan, who posted, ‘Perak Stadium, the theft happened again.
The post received various reactions from Perak football fans, including some who suggested stricter enforcement and the installation of CCTV cameras in the area.
Last February, the media reported that MBI incurred an estimated loss of RM135,000 after the room housing the cables and overflow light components at Perak Stadium was forcefully entered.
Rumaizi said that the incident was discovered when MBI was carrying out maintenance work in preparation for the Malaysian Football League (MFL) scheduled to take place on February 25.
