Policemen and other officers may soon be equipped with body cameras in a move to address cases of abuse by law enforcers

Dr M: Govt agrees with use of body cameras to prevent misconduct

NATION


Thursday, 19 Sep 20193:07 PM MYT

By JOSEPH KAOS Jr


PUTRAJAYA: Policemen and other officers may soon be equipped with body cameras in a move to address cases of abuse by law enforcers, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said there had been situations where enforcement officers wee accused of rough treatment, so such cameras would be able to reveal the truth.


“These officers will talk or do something while at work, so we want to know if they are doing the right thing, and how they behave.

“There are accusations where officers have bullied or beaten up people. So we want to know the truth.


“Of course, the officers will deny while the client will insist it is true. Between the two, we do not know which one is right. But with body cameras, we will know whether the accusation against the officer has a basis or not, ” said Dr Mahathir at a press conference here on Thursday (Sept 19).

He was speaking after chairing a meeting with the special cabinet committee on anti-corruption at Perdana Putra.

Dr Mahathir said the committee had also acknowledged the need to maintain and increase the usage of security cameras at police lock-ups to prevent cases of misconduct and address the issue of custodial deaths.

“This will be implemented as soon as we have the money. We will give priority to body cameras and CCTVs mainly, ” said Dr Mahathir.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia lost RM3bil-RM5bil a year due to leakages occuring at the country’s borders.

“The meeting recommends that the efficiency of Customs Department be improved through the increase in the usage of technology in the department’s operations, ” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed and Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/19/dr-m-govt-agrees-with-use-of-body-cameras-to-prevent-misconduct#GjDDwt7PEXMhKtEj.99