By Khairul Azran Hussin
SERDANG, June 22 — The local authorities in Selangor are given until the end of the year to equip its enforcement officers with body-worn cameras, says state executive councillor Ng Sze Han.
The state Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Committee chairman said the use of body-worn cameras would improve the efficiency and integrity of the local authorities, especially in the event of unforeseen circumstances taking place while on duty.
“As of now, several local authorities have begun using the body-worn cameras, such as Petaling Jaya City Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).
“We are not making it compulsory for the enforcement officers to wear the cameras, but let’s say a group of five officers are out on duty, one of them should be equipped with the camera,” he told reporters when met after his visit at the Balakong industrial area today.
Also present were Balakong state assemblyman Wong Siew Ki Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming.
Ng added that the equipment is for sale at an affordable price and that the local authorities could purchase the items in phases.
In February, the Selangor government had considered 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 an MPSJ enforcement officer and an elderly man, reportedly to have taken place in USJ9, Subang Jaya on February 13.