The installation of 496 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at various 'hotspots' nationwide is expected to be completed by March next year at a cost of RM59 million.  

Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop said the installation of the cameras was an ongoing effort mounted by the police and the local authorities to combat crime in the country under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA).  

"In this effort, the police have been working closely with 25 local authorities. In terms of infrastructure, it has been completed but, in terms of technicality, it is still not ready," he told reporters after attending a briefing at the Penang police headquarters in conjunction with his visit here today.

The installation of the CCTV cameras was also seen as an effort to produce 'big fast results', besides immediate action in implementing the safe city programme under the NKRA.

Meanwhile, Abu Seman said the concept of the Penang Integrated Public Safety System (PIPS), which was introduced on Feb 14, 2008, had become the source of reference for the CCTV system locally and abroad.

    

He said the PIPS system was designed to integrate all the 31 CCTV cameras in the control room of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), Penang police headquarters and the Timur Laut police headquarters.

The project is fully funded by the MPPP at a cost of RM5.8 million for a rental period of five years and is the first system in Asia using Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) 4.9 GHz, he said.

He said the system was also integrated with the public announcement system, emergency kiosk and stability system.

- Bernama