Recently, there have been increasing calls from the Malaysian public for more transparency and accountability for law enforcers in our country. This is due to several widespread and high-profile criminal cases involving personnel of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
These include calls by Malaysians for police officers to be equipped with body cams to deter corruption, misuse of power and even police brutality.
Well, the Home Ministry has actually been working for a long time on implementing body worn cameras (BWC) for law enforcement officers and now, it seems that the initiative is almost nearing reality.
Taking to its official Facebook page, the Home Ministry yesterday (30 January) announced that it has agreed to procure 7,648 BWCs for PDRM’s use.
In a ceremony at Putrajaya, the Home Ministry through its Secretary-General Datuk Haji Ruji bin Haji Ubi handed over the letter of agreement (LOA) for the supply, procurement, electrical wiring data cabling services, software configuration equipment installation and training for the 7,648 BWCs to Mindwave Consultancy Sdn Bhd. The company was awarded a 2-year contract by the Ministry for the BWCs.
The ceremony was also attended by the Bukit Aman Crime Prevention And Community Safety Department (JPJKK) director Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad who told the Bahasa Melayu newspaper Berita Harian more details regarding PDRM’s plans to utilise the BWCs.Ā
According to Wan Hassan, the BWCs will be used by PDRM’s mobile patrol vehicle unit (MPV) and motorcycle patrol unit (URB) under the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT).
The Bukit Aman JPJKK director asserted,
“The BWCs will be placed at 157 district police headquarters (IPD) and 640 police stations at all contingents and their usage will be done in stages starting October 2024.”
“The BWCs will be fully utilised by MPV and URB personnel by March 2025.”
So, what do you guys think of PDRM starting to use BWCs starting this October? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: PDRM Officer Records & Calls Out Māsian Driver for Trying to Bribe Him After Getting Pulled Over
