By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Sept 1 — Local authorities in Selangor are urged to use its own budget to purchase body-worn cameras as the devices are sold at affordable prices.
State Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said, therefore, there should not be an issue of insufficient allocations to buy the devices.
“The cost of the body-worn cameras does not reach RM1,000 per unit, depending on the brand of the devices. Therefore there should be no issue of not being able to afford it.
“Not all of the enforcement officers are required to be equipped with the device when on duty. It should at least be worn by the head of the team. However, if two or three officers are equipped with the device, it would be better,” he recently told SelangorKini.
Ng said the state government had not set the minimum quality of the device as it depends on the local councils.
“The local authorities have welcomed the use of the body-worn cameras as it can be used as evidence should any untoward incidents occur, such as provocation between the enforcement officers and the public.
“It would also ensure that the officers are able to carry out their duties according to the standard operating procedure (SOP). It offers protection to all parties involved,” he said.
On June 22, Ng had said that the local authorities are given until the end of the year to equip their enforcement officers with body-worn cameras.
To date, five local authorities — Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Petaling Jaya City Council, Selayang Municipal Council, and Klang Municipal Council — have begun using the device.
