Penang to use RM12 mil facial recognition cameras to prevent crime

Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow (second from right) with Penang police chief A Thaiveegan (left) and state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo (right). With them is MBPP mayor Yew Tung Seang (in purple).

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today announced it is employing facial recognition technology costing RM12 million for its new generation of CCTV cameras to prevent crime and check on traffic offenders.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang was probably the first state to employ such artificial intelligence technology, utilising software from IBM.

He said an “intelligent operations centre” (IOC) will be set up and linked to police and local councils.

“Faces of criminals or wanted persons will be captured and traced with this link-up with the Penang police headquarters.

“We hope our system will be adopted nationwide so that the whole country will be safer,” he said at Komtar today.

Chow said Penang island had a network of 767 cameras, most of it owned by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and 32 belonging to by the housing and local government ministry. MBPP is planning to add another 150 cameras.

He said on mainland Seberang Perai, 130 cameras have been installed and work is going on to install 94 more.

He said existing cameras on the island will be upgraded in phases as part of a project which began in December 2017. Work on this will be completed in 2020.

Chow said some of the features of the new system included a smart video analysis feature. This will enable officers to check on illegally parked vehicles and those driving on emergency lanes.

He said the cameras can also keep track of abandoned objects, those dumping rubbish indiscriminately and jaywalkers.

Penang police chief A Thaiveegan, who was present, said the system will be able to track down wanted criminals easily through the new high-resolution cameras.

He said the feed from the cameras will be made available to the Penang police headquarters and the force can act more quickly.

“Once the camera recognises a wanted criminal, the Penang police headquarters will be alerted. Duty officers will then order officers on patrol to spring into action.

“This upgraded CCTV system will definitely help in our crime prevention work,” he said. - FMT