'My orders are simple: Bodycams ASAP, no compromises'

 

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said his instructions are simple when it comes to body cameras for members of the police force: As soon as possible, with no compromises.

At this stage, however, the required specifications for the cameras to be procured are still being determined.

“My instructions are simple, which is that it needs to be done as soon as possible without compromising any principle of transparency in the procurement.

“For now the procurement has not yet been done, it is still in the stage of setting specifications that suit our needs,” Saifuddin told reporters at a media engagement session in Putrajaya last night.

He said this when asked to comment on Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng’s poser on the implementation of body cameras for the police force, which was announced in 2021.

Lim raised the issue following a raid at an ‘underground’ music gig in George Town, Penang, that purportedly did not have an entertainment licence.

Of the four people arrested, three were detained for filming the police raid.

According to the venue’s co-owner Shaik Fitri, the police told the trio that photographing raids was not allowed and asked them to delete the photos. The three were released, an hour after they were arrested.

Elaborating, Saifuddin said the issue with procuring the body cameras is not funding.

“The budget is there. The procurement division is still finalising the specifications, and when that is implemented, the police will start using the gadgets and I believe it would improve the efficiency of the police force,” he said.

He said the use of police body cameras will confer several advantages.

“Firstly, it can be (a tool) for gathering evidence.

“And, it can improve the police’s integrity when they are aware that they are being watched by the gadget and any manipulation by whichever party can be kept in check,” he said.

In 2021, the government under then Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin approved an allocation of RM30 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan to purchase body cameras for the police force.

The police welcomed the announcement and asked for the procurement to be expedited. - Mkini