CCTV cameras to be installed in 756 police lock-ups

A total of 756 police lock-ups across the country will be equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor detention activities and to prevent misconduct involving policemen, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong.

He said the installation of CCTV cameras, involving an allocation of RM73 million, would be completed later this year.

“This is a huge allocation made by the government as many cases involving detainees have been reported and we want to know what really happened in the lock-up area,” he told reporters after visiting the Central Brigade of the General Operations Force (PGA) in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, today.

Also present were Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador; Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (security) Zainal Abidin Abu Hassan; and National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) deputy director-general Anis Yusal Yusoff.

Liew also voiced government concern over security issues involving lock-ups in courts and that CCTV cameras would also be installed in the area for similar purposes.

“For the lock-ups in the court area, I understand that the judges and officers are using the same path as the detainees, so safety is an issue here that needs to be emphasised,” he said.

He said the government had also allocated RM100 million for the upgrading of police quarters and offices and all these were the result of a meeting of a special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption held in Putrajaya yesterday.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hamid said the installation of CCTV cameras at the lock-ups could prevent policemen from becoming victims of slander in the event of death during detention.

“This is good news for policemen... we can be more efficient and effective as well as being protected from defamation,” he said.

He said among other equipment that the police needed were electric shock or stun guns that were able to subdue aggressive person.

“I don’t encourage the use of firearms and it is possible to use the electric shock guns as this will make it easier for the police to make arrests. This matter will be forwarded to the Home Ministry for further action,” he said.

- Bernama