Recently, Deputy Prime Minister, on a visit to China and after meeting with China’s State Councillor and Minister of Public Security said Malaysia, taking a leaf from China's high-tech policing system is looking at expanding the use of high-definition CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology to crack down on crime.
He, however, qualified his intention by stating that budget constraints could limit its implementation nationwide.
The DPM appears to be contradicting what PDRM has always maintained all along.
PDRM has always and consistently maintained that the overall security situation on Malaysian streets is safe, stable, and under control.
Actual data also shows that Malaysia remains one of the safest countries in ASEAN,
Violent crimes like homicide remain very low by global standards, dropping safely below two cases per 100,000 people in most major states.
Security during mass travel periods has consistently improved.
For example, during major operations like Ops Selamat, street-level crimes dropped significantly due to the deployment of Mobile Patrol Vehicles (MPVs) and Motorcycle Patrol Units (URB).
CCTV installation does not mean street crime will automatically be minimized or zeroed out.
Cameras alone are not a silver bullet
Petty street incidents like bag snatching, pickpocketing, and vehicle break-ins still happen, especially in poorly lit areas but that does not mean with the installation of CCTVs, this will be minimized or zeroised.
Standard CCTVs are reactive, not proactive.
They record a crime happening or help identify a suspect after the fact, but they rarely stop a fast-moving, opportunistic crime like a snatch-theft in progress.
Criminals easily adapt.
If an area is poorly lit, low-quality night vision can make footage blurry and unusable. Attackers also intentionally operate in identified "blind spots" behind pillars, trees, or just outside the camera's field of view.
Snatch thieves on motorcycles almost always wear full-face helmets and often use fake or obscured license plates, making facial recognition and vehicle tracking incredibly difficult even on high-definition cameras
Already, Kuala Lumpur have integrated over 10,000 smart CCTV cameras monitored jointly by City Hall (DBKL) and PDRM to trigger real-time crime response.
And PDRM has encouraged using tools like the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app, allowing citizens to send quick digital alerts directly to law enforcement
Instead of emulating China’s high tech policing system, ordinary Malaysians are asking the DPM to emulate China's zero-tolerance, aggressive approach to political corruption based on these pillars:-
- High-Profile Targeting ("jerung and ikan bilis”)
- Severe Penalties: Convicted politicians and civil servants to face harsh sentences, including life imprisonment.
For sure, the DPM will get overwhelming support from all and every Malaysian if he is to propose and lead any initiative for Malaysia to emulate China's zero-tolerance, aggressive approach to political corruption.
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