KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has accepted the delivery of 100 body cameras worth RM270,000 to equip its enforcement officers in an effort to combat corruption and bribery.
In a written reply to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, DBKL said it had received 100 body cameras on March 2.
“Following the delivery of the body cameras, a body camera usage course was held on March 21 for 100 DBKL personnel for their field duties.
“For the time being, the body cameras are issued on a trial period to determine its effectiveness, as well as any problems that crop up due to its usage,” read the written reply as revealed by Lim to Malay Mail today.
However, DBKL said that the body cameras are currently on limited usage due to constraints related to its data storage.
Lim was present for a Kuala Lumpur mayor’s consultative meeting with parliamentarians at Menara DBKL here today.
Lim has been instrumental in calling for the revival of body cameras for law enforcement officers, especially police personnel, following a raid on a hardcore music gig at a record store in Georgetown, Penang earlier this year.
On January 9, DBKL’s executive director of socio-economic development Datuk Azmi Abdul Hamid was quoted saying that the body cameras will be provided for some 100 enforcement officers first.
He said DBKL will see its effectiveness in combating crime and graft and its role as the neutral third eye in disputes between the public and enforcement officers.
He said the cameras will also help to ensure the safety of enforcement officers when carrying out their duties.
The body cameras will be used to record interactions between enforcement officers on duty and the public, where the footage may be used as evidence in court.
The idea to equip DBKL enforcement officers with body cameras dates back to 2020 when then mayor Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan spoke of building the integrity of the officers to reduce cases of abuse of power.
It was previously reported that calls for body cameras gained traction after several DBKL enforcement officers were suspected to have solicited bribes from traders who breached licensing regulations.
Several crime prevention advocates have lauded the move.
