PETALING JAYA: A former MP has called on the government to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in every police and immigration department facility and vehicle nationwide after procuring body cameras for the police force.
Former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said this will ensure that bad practices by the authorities, such as police brutality and abuse of power, can be prevented.
“Installing functioning CCTVs should not merely be a physical fixture but should instead be an act to instil dignity, for both the detainees and the authorities.
“It is in no way to undermine or break the spirit of our police and immigration officers, but to uphold the rule of law, justice, fairness and human rights.
“Most importantly, it is a preventive measure against any form of brutality and violence in our lock-ups, detention centres and even police and immigration vehicles,” she said in a statement.
She was commenting on the government’s approval of a RM30 million allocation for the procurement of body cameras for on-duty police officers. Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on Tuesday the procurement was in progress.
Kathuri questioned how many more sexual assault, police brutality and custodial death cases must be reported before serious measures are taken to curb these bad practices.
She said the use of CCTVs in every lock-up, prison, detention centre and police and immigration vehicle would also ensure that any unsubstantiated claims or allegations could be successfully challenged in court by either the victim or perpetrator.
“Nevertheless, first-world infrastructure and technology must be tightly accompanied with changes and reforms in approach, culture, practices and mindset by our enforcement officers,” she said.
“I am confident that we will achieve it given the right amount of political will exercised by the executive and the police and immigration authorities.” - FMT
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