KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said that policemen will be equipped with body cameras soon without any compromise.
He said the required specifications for the body camera procurement are still being finalised.
“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 suits our needs,” Saifuddin was quoted saying in Malaysiakini report today after meeting reporters at a media engagement session in Putrajaya last night.
Saifuddin’s comments were in response to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng’s demand for an explanation on the implementation of body cameras for the police, which was announced back in 2021
On January 31, Lim raised the issue following a raid at an underground music gig in George Town, Penang, that purportedly did not have an entertainment licence.
During the raid, four people were arrested. However, three were detained for filming the police raid.
The three were told by police that photographing raids was not allowed and asked them to delete the photos. They were eventually released, an hour after they were arrested.
Lim said the arrest of the three individuals could be seen as a means to oppress the public.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said that the issue with the procurement of the body cameras was not funding, but finalising its specifications.
He said the ministry has the budget for the body cameras and once it is implemented, the police will start using them.
“I believe it would improve the efficiency of the police force,” he said.
Saifuddin also said that the use of body cameras will have several advantages for the police.
“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,” he said, adding that with the body cameras, any form of manipulation can be kept in check.
In December last year, Saifuddin announced that the government has allocated a budget of RM30 million for the purchase of body cameras for the police.
He said the body cameras have been deemed a "necessity” but added that its acquisition will follow the due procurement process.
Prior to that, in 2021, the previous government had approved an allocation of RM30 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan to purchase body cameras for the police.
