SHAH ALAM, Feb 14 — The Selangor government is looking into the need for the enforcement officers of local authorities to be equipped with surveillance cameras while on duty.
This was following the circulation of a video showing a dispute between a Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) enforcement officer and an elderly man, reportedly to have taken place in USJ9, Subang Jaya yesterday.
The state Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the proposed move is to ensure public safety, monitor enforcement action, as well as to prevent wrongful allegations of misconduct.
“The use of cameras by law enforcement officers would strengthen their tasks in managing the public as front-liners.
“It was regretful that the attempt to obstruct the enforcement officer from carrying out his duty had escalated. The local authorities are doing their best to resolve the complaints received from the public, which includes the public urging for prompt action against any offences,” he said in a statement today.
“The incident would not have occurred if both parties remained calm during the process. The state government will leave the matter to be investigated by both the police and the local council.”
In policing equipment, body-worn video or camera is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system used to record events in which enforcement officers are involved.
Meanwhile, Ng had advised the public to go through the proper channel by lodging their complaints to the local authorities instead of taking matters into their own hands.
“Enforcement officers should also be calm and sensible in any given situation and report to the police if they face abuse while on duty,” he said.
Earlier, MPSJ president Noraini Roslan said that the enforcement personnel involved in the incident has been removed from duty as investigations are being carried out.
It was reported that the brawl was triggered after the elderly man was in disagreement with an MPSJ officer as his car was being towed away.
Subang district police department has also initiated an investigation into the case.
