Bodycams to come earlier for the cops

KUALA LUMPUR: The first batch of body-worn cameras (BWCs) for policemen is scheduled to be delivered next month, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said he wanted the delivery process to be finalised immediately.

“We’ve been waiting for this, and I requested that it (the delivery) be sped up.

“Let’s not postpone it any longer and it cannot be dragged on until next year, as the budget has already been allocated.

“The procurement process has changed a few times, so I’m asking for it to be finalised immediately.

“Based on our own timeline, the delivery process must happen by June this year,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2024 yesterday.

Asked if the BWCs would be of the highest specifications, he said yes, adding that the procurement committee will decide on what’s best for them.

On Feb 21, Saifuddin Nasution said the 7,648 body cameras for police personnel across 157 district police headquarters nationwide were estimated to cost between RM2,000 and RM2,500 each.

Earlier, the minister witnessed a signing ceremony for the Home Ministry at the exhibition.

The ministry signed 14 contracts totalling RM2.1bil with local companies aimed at ensuring the security of the country through the acquisition of strategic assets.

Among the high-impact contracts signed were the acquisition of a Multi-Purpose Police Transport Vessel as a Cargo Carrier (Mother Ship), training equipment as well as four medium-lift helicopters for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

The contracts were signed by ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi with representatives of local companies.

MMEA acting director-general Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim said maritime security preparedness could be elevated following the procurement of four Augusta Westland AW189 helicopters.

“The procurement of the helicopters will be able to meet the needs of the agency to step up air monitoring as well as longer distance and duration for our search and rescue operations,” he said.

At present, MMEA has two AW139 helicopters, three AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopters and a Bombardier CL-415 MP aircraft, he added.

Vice Admiral Saiful Lizan said the helicopters, worth RM530mil, were chosen as they have a main transmission capability to operate without fuel for 50 minutes as well as an additional power unit.

“We expect the helicopters to be completed and handed over to the agency sometime next year or in 2026. The craft will be placed in Sandakan, Sabah,” he said.