KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) requires at least 20,000 CCTV cameras installed throughout the capital to monitor crime and traffic congestion.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said at present, there are only 5,000 units around the city.
He said the installation cannot be undertaken solely by DBKL but requires the cooperation of various ministries, departments and agencies, especially the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
"DBKL is responsible for seeking funding for installation, monitoring and surveillance.
"This (installation) effort must be carried out from now until the 13th Malaysia Plan," he said after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on road safety and traffic congestion here on Monday (July 15).
Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh.
Ahmad Zahid said this initiative is also seen as a step towards modern policing to reduce the presence of uniformed officers in the city.
"We learned from smart city and safe city initiatives in other countries that with high-definition (HD) and facial recognition CCTV, crime rates and accidents can be reduced, and other issues can be managed without infringing on personal rights,” he said.
On traffic congestion in Johor Baru, he said several studies and measures will be undertaken by the relevant ministries, considering that the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project connecting Bukit Chagar to Woodlands in Singapore is scheduled for completion in 2027 under the Greater Johor Baru plan.
"Immediate studies must be conducted to alleviate traffic congestion, and several steps have been taken with the Johor government, ministries and agencies at the national level.
"We propose it be done before the implementation of the dispersal plan once the RTS is completed,” he said. – Bernama
