Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the suspects are being detained for suspected involvement in crimes intended to sabotage critical communications infrastructure in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

“The cables stolen were crucial to the government’s data infrastructure and security sector.

“Any disruptions in these facilities can trigger larger disruptions in the national communications system and threaten the public peace,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying today.

Hussein said the suspects will be detained for a maximum of 28 days to aid ongoing investigations.

Previously, he said the syndicate was known as “Sindiket Mulia”, masterminded by two men with 36 and 29 previous criminal cases each, including drug-related offences.

Hussein said the syndicate has made at least 23 cable sales at a scrap metal shop in Semenyih, with a total value of RM683,000.

He also said five policemen were among the 16 people arrested earlier for suspected ties to the syndicate.

“Investigations found that the syndicate members received information from the police officers involved about areas with fewer patrols and so on,” he said.

He said the syndicate was also aided by technicians and security guards from companies appointed by Telekom Malaysia.