BEIJING: China’s use of facial recognition technology to track down suspects within minutes could offer a model for Malaysia to strengthen its fight against crime, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said China had deployed cameras equipped with facial recognition technology, particularly in crime hotspots, that allows suspects to be quickly identified.
“These are lessons I have learnt and will share with my Cabinet colleagues on how technology can strengthen our crime prevention capabilities and protect our country against external threats,” he told reporters here yesterday after a bilateral meeting with China’s State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.
He said Malaysia could consider expanding its own modern policing system, particularly in crime hotspots and tourist areas, although budget constraints could limit its implementation nationwide.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia had implemented a similar approach in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, when he was Home Minister, as part of a pilot project, while the deployment of the system at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang area had resulted in a drop in snatch thefts.
In a separate statement, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and China had agreed to step up intelligence sharing and expand joint efforts against criminal networks operating across national borders.
He said the meeting reflected both countries’ commitment to addressing increasingly complex security threats, particularly transnational crime, drug trafficking and telecommunications and cyber fraud.
Malaysia had also proposed establishing a Joint Working Group between local police force and the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and China’s drug enforcement authorities.
“The proposal received a positive response and will serve as a foundation for strengthening investigative coordination, intelligence exchange and joint training in a more systematic manner,” he said.
He added that bilateral law enforcement cooperation had already yielded results, such as the seizure of more than 1.03 tonnes of fentanyl citrate in August 2025 under Operations Black Ash and Blackwood.
The operation was aided by intelligence sharing between the police and China’s National Narcotics Control Commission.
“This success demonstrates that when intelligence is shared, operations are coordinated and enforcement agencies work together, international criminal networks can be dismantled more effectively,” he said.
On the economic front, Ahmad Zahid said Chinese investors had expressed interest in making a substantial investment in aluminium manufacturing in Sarawak, with Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu among the locations being considered, though he noted that such investments are subject to approval by Sarawak and respective state governments, along with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
“Several sectors have been identified, but I will assist Miti and focus on high-technology manufacturing,” he said.
Attracting investors to areas outside established industrial zones was also an important consideration, particularly in view of incentives outlined in Budget 2027 for investments beyond such areas, he said.
