First bodycam delivery to cops by June, says Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The delivery of the first batch of body-worn cameras (BWCs) for policemen is scheduled for June, 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 earlier to speed it up.

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

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“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,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2024 on Wednesday (May 8).

Asked if the BWC will be of the highest specifications, Saifuddin replied: “Yes, I can set the policies, and I can set the directions, but I will leave it to the wisdom of the procurement committee to decide on what will be the best.”

On Feb 21, Saifuddin said the 7,648 BWCs for police personnel are estimated to cost between RM2,000 and RM2,500 each.

He said the devices would be fitted on officers across 157 district police headquarters nationwide.

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Earlier, Saifuddin witnessed contract signings at DSA and Natsec Asia 2024 where the Home Ministry inked a total of 14 agreements totalling RM2.1bil with local companies.

The procurements are aimed at maintaining the country’s security against all threats through the acquisition of strategic assets.

Among them are the purchase of a multipurpose police transport vessel as a cargo carrier, training equipment for the police as well as the acquisition of four medium-lift helicopters for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

The contracts were signed on the ministry’s behalf by its secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi.