Malaysian Police To Be Equipped With Bodycams, Process Being Finalised

By Ahmad Hamizan  •  06 Dec 2021 in News

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A federal minister has said that the process to purchase bodycams for policemen in the country is in the final stages, and is set to be implemented soon.

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin – who’s ministry is responsible for police matters – said today, 6 December that the specifications of the bodycams are in the midst of being finalised, before procurement can take place.

“The specifications that are needed are that the devices be of high quality, use artificial intelligence (AI), can live stream, and are SIRIM accredited,” reported New Straits Times.

The Home Ministry is expected to buy 2,040 such cameras, which are to be distributed to 85 police stations nationwide, Hamzah continued.

“We are inviting all suppliers who are qualified though an open tender via the ePerolehan system.”

Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had announced earlier that the government has allocated RM30 million for the purchase in the 2021 budget.

The idea to equip bodycams on policemen was first mooted during the Pakatan Harapan administration led by Tun Mahathir, back in September 2019.

According to a Straits Times report then, the former premier said this was due to complaints by members of the public who say that policemen regularly ask for bribes and abuse suspects.

“People can complain but we need proof, so body camera can show us what happened,” said the former PM. “We will enforce body cameras on police, immigration and customs so that we can know what they are up to… if there is corruption or abuse… if they turn it off also, we will know.”