KUALA LUMPUR: Plans to obtain body-worn cameras (BCWs) for enforcement agencies are in the final stage and are expected to be fully implemented next year, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the BCWs, however, are only to be used by police and will be considered for other related agencies in the future.
"The procurement of BCWs is in the final stage and the devices are expected to be used by next year.
"The use of BCWs is also part of the efforts to improve the ministry's (agency) integrity level. However, it will only be used by the police.
"However, I cannot confirm as to whether they (BCWs) will be used by (other) agencies under different departments. Nevertheless, the use of BCWs by the police will enhance the level of service to the people. Its use in other agencies will be considered later," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Senator Hussin Ismail during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, today.
Hussin earlier had enquired the ministry about the development of BCWs procurement and issues pertaining to their usage, including data collection and management, as well as privacy issues for officers.
In February, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the ministry would decide on the contractor that will supply the body cameras.
Following the announcement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 2023 Budget, Saifuddin said an additional 2,100 units of body cameras would also be acquired by enforcement agencies.
He added that RM30 million was also allocated for the acquisition of the cameras and advertised for contractors.