A total of 1,800 AI cameras will be installed in Greater JB. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
Artificial intelligence (AI) closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) are being installed in Johor Baru to improve security in the city.
The move under the Greater Johor Baru (Greater JB) initiative is aimed at making the city more liveable, safe and smart by 2030.
State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the system would allow the police to carry out investigations in the case of criminal incidents.
Another use for the monitoring system is to record the number of vehicles moving in and out of urban areas.
He said 1,800 such cameras would be installed in areas under the jurisdiction of four local authorities in Greater JB.
These include 500 each under Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) and Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) areas, while Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) will see the installation of 300 cameras.
The smart cameras, he said, were being installed in stages until 2027 in close cooperation with the police.
“There will also be smart intelligence operation centres (SIOC) acting as data centres where the AI cameras will be closely monitored by enforcement personnel from the respective local councils and the police,” added Mohd Jafni at a press conference at the MPKu office in Kulai.
The Bukit Permai assemblyman said besides the AI CCTV, the state through the four local authorities would also be upgrading its smart traffic light system.
He said the new system would be operational at major roads, including hotspots within Greater JB such as Senai International Airport.
Mohd Jafni said whenever traffic lights were not operational, road users could immediately make a complaint through an app.
Repair works would then be carried out.
He added that the smart traffic lights would also come with an emergency button to allow the public or road users to make a distress call in case of emergency.
As of now, some 33 smart traffic lights had been installed, Mohd Jafni added.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said 380 units of AI cameras were already installed within MBJB.
“Our target is to instal 500 units by the end of 2024,” he told StarMetro.
He added that the cameras had provided MBJB and other authorities with a greater security advantage.
“It allowed the authorities including MBJB to have a more efficient control and monitoring of Johor Baru, especially within the city area.
“The AI CCTV also increased public safety, which is key because besides allowing Johor Baru to have a better traffic management, it allows a faster emergency response.
“MBJB can also fine-tune its service delivery to the public,” he said.
Mohd Noorazam added that its Johor Baru Integrated Operation Command Centre (JBIOCC), located at Menara MBJB, was operational.
He hoped the centre would help improve the quality of life for residents.
MBJB’s decision to use smart cameras, he said, was due to necessity.
“Data analysis from AI CCTV can improve the city’s security with the ability to identify vehicle registration numbers, as well as face recognition.
“Their capabilities also increase the operational efficiency of JBIOCC,” he added.
“JBIOCC operates 24 hours a day with a minimal number of staff as most of the assignments were now being carried out by AI,” he said, adding that the staff were also given training from time to time.
Mohd Noorazam said locations for installation of the AI CCTVs were within Johor Baru city as well as major roads in MBJB’s administrative area which saw high volumes of people and traffic.
The cameras also help security agencies such as the police to maintain public safety and order as crime incidents could be recorded with quicker response times.
“We are confident that steps taken by MBJB will help address safety concerns and give confidence not only to locals but also to investors,” he said.
