Effective tool: Customs officers wearing the BWCs as part of the pilot project.
SEPANG: Cases of integrity violations involving Customs officers dipped by almost 40% following the use of body-worn cameras (BWC) since August 2023.
“From Aug 1, 2022, until July 31 last year, 13 cases of wrongdoings were recorded,” said Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin.
“However, from Aug 1 last year until July 31 this year, only eight cases were received, a reduction of 38.46%,” she said in her speech at the launch of the further use of BWCs by Customs officers here yesterday.
60 BWCs are on lease for 36 months. — Bernama“Such a record shows the effectiveness of BWCs,” she said, adding the department acquired 60 BWCs on lease for 36 months.
“Five locations were chosen for the pioneer use of the BWCs,” she said.
Twelve units were placed with the Enforcement Division, 24 units were placed at Kuala Lumpur International airport Terminals 1 and 2, while 12 each were sent to Selangor and Johor Customs, respectively.
Anis Rizana explained that the use of BWCs is supervised by the Enforcement Division, with data for each device sent to the division to be stored.
“We feel the BWCs have had a positive impact in elevating the department’s image,” she said.
The BWCs are much needed to protect officers on the frontlines from lies and slander as well as elevating the integrity of those wearing them, Anis Rizana said.
“It can also prevent wrongdoing and abuse of power among officers as well as those dealing with the department by instilling fear.
“The recordings can be used as evidence in any issues that arise,” she said.
During the press conference, Anis Rizana said RM1.59mil had been allocated by the Finance Ministry for the 60 BWCs.
“We hope the BWC pilot project will lead to improvements in governance and enhance integrity in the department,” she said.
Asked whether the department planned to increase the use of BWCs among its officers, Anis Rizana said she hoped that the government would provide additional funds for it.
“Using the BWCs at entry points is also in the pipeline.
“If they can operate without any technical issues, we are confident that more cameras can be deployed at entry points.
“We hope the use of the cameras can include our frontliners at entry points. However, any decision or review will be made by the Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency as border control falls under its jurisdiction,” she said, adding that the use of the cameras had indirectly led to an increase in revenue collection by RM1.12mil.
“The collection from January till September last year was RM5.22mil, and it was RM6.34mil for the same period this year, a rise of 21.46%,” she said.
