Selangor Journal
Body-worn cameras are used by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council its effort to ensure better efficiency and transparency.

Body cams promote transparency, say councils

By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM , August 17 Two local authorities in Selangor have started to equip their enforcement officers with body-worn cameras in an effort to ensure better efficiency and transparency.

Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) Corporate and Strategic Management Department deputy director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said the local council’s enforcement officers use the body-worn cameras daily or during special operations held from time to time.

The use of the cameras started in March before the movement control order was enforced.

Officers under the Operation Unit, Anti-Litter Unit and Towing Unit are equipped with the device.

“This is part of our proactive move to monitor the conduct of the officers when on the field. It is also to be used as reference or evidence should any untoward incident take place,” he told Selangor Journal recently, adding that no incident has been reported as of July 23.

Azfarizal said of the 12 units of body-worn cameras owned by the council, six are used by the Enforcement Department.

Meanwhile, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) Corporate Communications officer Norhayati Ahmad said their officers have begun using surveillance cameras since July last year.

She said the council’s cameras, 10 units in all, use the mobile surveillance system from IAC Security.

“The equipment that is used has an average battery life of eight hours with continuous use. Its video quality is 32GB and in high definition, and is capable of capturing night visuals as well as sound.

“The cameras are used for the safety of the enforcement officers and to avoid incidents like physical assaults or verbal altercations. Their recordings can be used as evidence.

“It is also to increase the integrity, efficiency, and transparency of our officers when dealing with the people,” she told Selangor Journal.

On June 22, state Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said that the local authorities in Selangor are given until the end of the year to equip their enforcement officers with body-worn cameras.

Apart from MPSJ and MPAJ, Ng said the Petaling Jaya City Council has also begun using the device.

Top Picks

Sultan Sharafuddin launches Selangor-Gaza Ehsan Development Fund

Banting man arrested for setting off firecrackers on road

Pandamaran rep distributes over RM30,000 to mosques, suraus for Ramadan activities