25/03/2025

TUESDAY | MAR 25, 2025

3 Call to make use of body cameras standard practice

PKR deputy info chief eyes vice-president post KUALA LUMPUR: PKR deputy information chief 1 Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has announced his candidacy for the vice-presidency in the party’s elections in May. Ramanan, who is also the entrepreneur development and cooperatives deputy minister, said the decision was made to further strengthen and empower PKR from the grassroots level to the central leadership. “Before arriving at this decision, I took the time to consult with party leaders, comrades and Keadilan members across the country. “The spirit of struggle must align with the Malaysia Madani concept, and I believe that together, we can do our best for the nation’s future,” he said in a statement yesterday. The Sungai Buloh MP added that he had informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, of his decision. Earlier, it was reported that five incumbents – Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang and Nurul Izzah Anwar – will defend their vice-president positions. PKR information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the communications minister, had also announced he would be contesting for the vice-president’s post. The PKR central leadership elections will be held on May 24. – Bernama Report work injuries to Socso, volunteers told BUKIT MERTAJAM: Volunteer team members contributing to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) are urged to report any work-related incidents to ensure they receive protection under the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said many volunteers, particularly Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) members, are unaware they qualify for the scheme. “If volunteers are injured or involved in an accident while on duty, they should report it to Socso. “Support can only be provided if incidents are reported, so we encourage MCDF offices to contact their nearest Socso branch for assistance,” he said after attending a public preparedness programme marking MCDF’s 63rd anniversary, and a community iftar at Dewan Orang Ramai Permatang Pasir on Sunday night. During the event, Socso presented benefits to Seberang Perai Tengah MCDF member Muhammad Syazwan Shopiee, 24, who was bitten by a venomous Malayan Krait (a snake species) while on duty on Feb 23. Syazwan was attempting to place the rescued snake into a container when it bit his right thumb. He spent 20 days in intensive care and is on medical leave. As a Socso contributor under the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme, he receives RM700 in monthly benefits. – Bernama

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Move not only raises transparency but also helps fight corruption, dispels negative perceptions public might have towards enforcement agencies: Criminologist

work, as it serves as a valuable tool for evidence collection, improving the efficiency of criminal investigations and court proceedings. “They help reduce reliance on conflicting witness accounts and provide reliable footage for review. “BWC can also aid in addressing concerns about racial profiling by allowing data analysis of law enforcement interactions.” However, he acknowledged that some challenges could arise with the use of this technology. “Privacy concerns arise when sensitive footage involves victims, minors or bystanders, necessitating strict policies on data access. The high cost of purchasing, maintaining, and storing footage is another concern. “Moreover, officers must be required to activate cameras at appropriate times to prevent selective recording. Despite these challenges, the advantages of BWC far outweigh the drawbacks, making their implementation a necessary step in modern policing.” He added that enforcement agencies with frequent public interactions and high-risk operations should be prioritised by the government for BWC adoption. “BWC are crucial for law enforcement accountability, reducing misconduct, and improving justice system efficiency. While implementation should be gradual, priority should be given to frontline officers and high-risk agencies.”

PETALING JAYA: It is time for more law enforcement agencies to step up and equip their personnel with body-worn cameras (BWC). The move promises greater transparency and a powerful weapon against corruption. Experts insist BWC should have been standard practice long ago, given how long the technology has been available. Criminologist Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Satar stresses that the only thing standing in the way is political will and the agencies’ readiness to embrace change. “This is also part of the reform agenda that should be introduced by the current government. “The use of body cameras not only raises transparency but also helps reduce leakages that contribute to the nation’s losses,” Akhbar told theSun. The crime expert said agencies would not only be protecting themselves but also ensuring that the public’s interests are safeguarded by adopting the technology. “Nowadays, there are many complaints from the public alleging wrongdoing by enforcement personnel during their operations. “The use of body cameras can address this problem and dispel any negative perceptions the public may have towards our enforcement agencies,” he said, adding that many enforcement personnel carry a student to “go back to China” for not being fluent in Malay are being investigated by the Education Ministry. The ministry said the investigation conducted is in addition to the probe by police on the incident. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said any racist behaviour in schools would never be compromised. “I would like to emphasise that the ministry does not compromise with racism in schools, whether involving teachers, students or any officers.” She was responding to an audio clip of a female teacher allegedly admitting to telling the secondary school student to “go back to China” for not being able to understand the Malay language. The audio clip was shared widely on social media. It is also alleged that the teacher called one of the students “stupid” and instructed the student to “sit near a rubbish bin”. In another development, Fadhlina said the ministry is gathering data on schools affected by floods to coordinate repair work. “We will continue to ensure that our schools receive immediate

out their duties with integrity. He noted that enforcement agencies have spent significant resources on study trips abroad, and should be well aware of which technologies and methods would enhance their efficiency. He said among others, the Immigration Department personnel would benefit from BWC in their field operations. “This has been adopted in the USA, where its Immigration Department also received numerous public complaints. We should follow suit.” It was reported several Immigration Department personnel were charged for their involvement in the counter-setting scandal last year. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said a syndicate had been bribing immigration officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to allow foreigners to enter the country by issuing tourist visas without following proper protocols. However, the introduction of this technology must be aimed at eliminating misconduct among enforcement officers, said Akhbar.

“Any be manipulated to hide wrongdoing. We are losing RM60 billion annually due to corruption. “Imagine how many public infrastructures we could build if we put a stop to this leakage,” he added. Echoing Akhbar’s stance, Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said the use of BWC would improve public trust in enforcement agencies. He added that BWC would help eliminate unlawful conduct, including the use of excessive force, in enforcement operations. “These cameras provide objective documentation of interactions between officers and civilians, (discouraging) false accusations and ensuring professional conduct. “Studies show that BWC help decrease the use of force and complaints against officers. “Moreover, the presence of cameras discourages both police misconduct and aggressive civilian behaviour,” Sundramoorthy said in a WhatsApp reply to theSun . He added that the technology would greatly benefit these agencies in their later stages of technology can

Ministry probes teacher over racial remark PUTRAJAYA: The actions of a teacher who allegedly told

Fadhlina interacting with primary school pupils during a Hari Raya Aid Presentation ceremony at a shopping mall in Putrajaya yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

maintenance assistance.” The minister also said RM26.4 million has been allocated to repair schools in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak that were damaged by the floods

from December 2024 to January 2025. Earlier, Fadhlina presented Aidilfitri aid to 320 schoolchildren to ease the burden of their families. Each student received a gift card

or shopping voucher worth RM100, as well as a goodie bag containing sponsored items from various companies coordinated by the Putrajaya Unity Education Bureau. – Bernama