THE Penang government has been using closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to prevent criminal activities in the state. Some CCTV cameras are even equipped with video analytics – a system that has a facial recognition feature.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that these CCTV cameras were now also being used to ensure public compliance to the standard operating procedure (SOP), in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The state government, through its local councils, is utilising the CCTV cameras to detect and track down those who do not comply with the SOP in public places. We can take faster action against those who refuse to abide by the procedures and laws,” he told reporters after visiting the Intelligent Operation Centre (IOC) in Komtar today.
Jagdeep said that a total of 1,177 CCTV cameras had been installed in Penang.
“A total of 935 CCTV cameras have been set up on Penang island and 242 on the mainland.
“Another 88 CCTV cameras are scheduled to be installed by the end of this year.
“A total of 450 CCTV cameras on the island and 25 on the mainland are equipped with video analytics.
“We are upgrading 78 CCTV cameras on the island for them to be equipped with video analytics, and we are looking forward to improve more CCTV cameras in the future.
“The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) are working closely with the police to ensure public safety.
“We are also considering other smart alternatives to ascertain public compliance besides the usage of CCTV cameras,” Jagdeep said.
He was pleased to note that the public compliance rate in premises that were allowed to operate since the start of the movement control order (MCO) until today has been improving and satisfying.
“The local councils have conducted checks on 170,964 premises on the island and 296,277 on the mainland as of today (June 25).
“The compliance rate on the island is 99.67% while it is 99.25% on the mainland.
“Both local councils will continue to monitor the premises during this recovery movement control order (RMCO).
“The public must not be too complacent. The fight against Covid-19 is not over,” he said.
Jagdeep added that the state National Security Council (MKN) has established seven special committees to look into Covid-19 matters in Penang.
“I have been entrusted to lead two of the committees, namely, the ‘Kumpulan Kerja Pembudayaan Kebiasaan Baharu’ and ‘Kumpulan Kerja Perundangan dan Penguatkuasaan’,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan