What about RM150k gov't CCTVs, asks Penang exco member

Responding to MCA’s claim about the exorbitant cost of Penang's CCTV cameras, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow revealed that cameras installed by the federal government cost RM157,800 each, more than double the price the state government paid.

According to Chow, the Housing and Local Government Ministry implemented a CCTV programme on Penang Island in 2015, spending RM5.049 million on 32 cameras.

"This would make the unit price of each camera at RM157,800.

"Maybe the ministry would like to explain why it is so much higher than those implemented by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP)," he added.

Chow, who is the state DAP chief, was responding to Penang MCA, which claimed that the CCTV cameras installed by MBPP cost RM59,707 per unit, purportedly five times higher than those installed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Komtar MCA Task Force chief Tan Hing Teik had said the cost of installing a set of CCTV cameras was merely RM600, adding that DBKL paid RM12,886 per unit.

However, Chow declined to comment on the cameras in Kuala Lumpur, saying he had no information of the system and specifications of the CCTV cameras used there.

Chow and MBPP mayor Yew Tung Seang (photo) had visited the council's CCTV operations centre in Komtar yesterday for a briefing from the engineer in charge of the project.

'Not just unit price'

Chow said the council spent almost RM47.78 million in the past five years to install 718 CCTV cameras on the island, which averages RM66,500 per unit.

These units were installed in various crime hotspots and traffic intersections to ensure safety and better traffic flow.

"It is futile to compare prices just by looking at the unit price of the CCTV camera, as we are talking about a smart surveillance system using CCTV cameras installed around the city.

"The contract of this smart system is just not about the CCTV cameras installed on street poles, but includes the cost for site mapping, underground mapping, CCTV posts, lighting and earth system, electricity cables and boards.

"Next is the cost for CCTV equipment, including cameras, a public announcement system and a wireless network system," he noted.

Chow said upgrading works are currently being carried out in the control room at Komtar, as well as in four other control rooms located at select police stations.

These upgrades include a video management system, video recording system, control centre operations system and network infrastructure from the control room to the wireless base station.

"The contract sum covers five years of maintenance of all the site equipment and the control rooms," he explained.

Chow also stressed that MBPP awarded the contract to the CCTV installer through an open tender process.

"If there is any company that can fulfil all the requirements with competitive pricing, they can submit their bids for the next tender for another 150 CCTV cameras this year," he said.

The increased number of CCTV cameras in the state was part of Penang Pakatan Rakyat's 12-point manifesto announced before the 2013 general election. -Mkini