DAP Leader Urges Swift Bodycam Implementation Under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 July 2025 — DAP Central Executive Committee Member and Secretary for International Affairs Kasthuri Patto today called on the Government to fast-track the distribution and implementation of body-worn cameras (bodycams) across enforcement agencies as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan, citing an urgent need to restore integrity, accountability, and transparency in public service.
In a statement, Kasthuri highlighted a string of misconduct cases involving law enforcement officers, underscoring the critical role bodycams could play in preventing such abuses.
“It is most important for all officers, especially those on field duty, to be equipped with bodycams—not only to restore dignity in our men and women in blue, but also to sieve out the bad apples for action to be taken,” she said.
Kasthuri referred to the High Court judgment earlier this year on the death of Dutch model Ivana Smit, in which the presiding judge Roz Mawar Rozain described the police’s investigation as a “litany of failures.”
She also cited several recent cases, whereby in June, a police officer in Ampang made sexually suggestive remarks to a woman, proposing that they check into a hotel. The conversation was captured on video and went viral on social media.
Six days ago, an Immigration officer was caught with RM8,391 and documents indicating he was part of “counter-setting” between officers and a syndicate, allowing foreigners without valid documents to enter the country.
“Could bodycams have prevented these vile acts of deceit, fraud, and double-dealing? Very likely. But what about those who were not wearing bodycams while committing such immoral, despicable, and disgraceful acts?” she asked, pressing for full-scale rollout and systemic reform.
She acknowledged recent progress, noting that pilot projects are already underway. As of now, 7,648 out of 10,000 planned bodycams have been distributed to police officers. Immigration officers are expected to receive 600 units, while the Customs Department initiated a pilot program in April 2023 involving 60 officers.
While praising these efforts as a step in the right direction, she insisted they were insufficient to meet the scale of the problem and urged the Government to approve the procurement of an additional 10,000 bodycams under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“The Government must also invest in reforming and improving the processes and procedures to ensure that the evidence from bodycams minimises miscarriages in the criminal justice system,” she said.
“Surveillance tools must go hand in hand with transparency during raids, roadblocks, immigration checks, customs operations, and investigations involving sensitive and violent crimes.”
Kasthuri added that the original proposal to implement bodycams across enforcement agencies was initiated during Pakatan Harapan’s administration from 2018 to 2020 and expressed optimism that the MADANI Government will now deliver on that commitment.
“Like many Malaysians, I look forward to the timely approval through the 13th Malaysian Plan of the additional 10,000 bodycams for our men and women in blue, as well as additional devices for immigration and customs officers,” she concluded.
