JPJ ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO USE BWC STARTING FROM NOVEMBER - LOKE

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement officers nationwide will use Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) starting from November for more effective enforcement and to enhance public service integrity and transparency.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that for the first phase, a total of 100 BWCs would be used by JPJ enforcement officers, with an allocation of RM2.3 million.

"This initiative has been discussed for years, and finally, we have the budget (for implementation). So, for the second phase, all JPJ enforcement personnel will wear it when they are out conducting enforcement activities,” he told a media conference after the JPJ assembly and anti-corruption pledge ceremony here today.

He said the use of BWCs signified JPJ's commitment to implement evidence-based enforcement and ensure every action on the field is recorded, evaluated and monitored objectively.

"JPJ personnel who will be involved in special operations, especially on issues related to overloading, must wear this camera as they will be facing a huge risk.

"Some among them (are also) given pistols because, usually, when we carry out enforcement, there are 'tontos’ (informants) who are not afraid of JPJ personnel. Some (tontos) even challenge back as they want to scare our personnel,” he said, adding that the BWCs and pistols are given for self-protection.

He added that the JPJ is confident that the implementation of this initiative will become a catalyst for the transformation of enforcement work culture, increase public confidence in the transparency of JPJ actions and strengthen the effectiveness of the public service governance and accountability system.

"This measure also emphasises JPJ's stance to carry out enforcement duties firmly, professionally and with high integrity. 

"It is in line with the MADANI Government's aspirations to strengthen governance and the public's trust in the country's enforcement agencies,” he said.

At the event, JPJ also received four new Honda CR-V vehicles from PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS), as a continuation of the strategic collaboration forged since 2019.

-- BERNAMA