Usage of body cameras can avoid malicious accusations - Azam Baki

PUTRAJAYA - The usage of body-worn cameras (BWC) by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers while on duty, is to avoid malicious accusations on the commission.

Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said he saw the BWCs as an important starting point as MACC has become the agency that was been receiving attention both domestically and abroad.

"Transparency is important because we don't want the MACC to be suspected and bombarded with multiple accusations," he said in the BWC and MACC jacket launching ceremony here on Monday.

He said 142 BWCs were distributed to the officers in headquarters and the states in stages.

"We will make the acquisition for twice the amount of BWCs through the RM20 million allocations announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he said.

Azam said the BWC usage would have audio and visual recordings of events that happen during investigations done by the MACC.

"This includes how the suspects or witnesses were managed by MACC officers throughout investigations.

"The data recorded will be kept as a reference and sent to court if it was needed or if they are issues later," he said.

He added the purchase of BWCs did not amount to high costs as the equipment was brought directly from the supplier according to market prices.

"If we purchase the system it means that files will be kept in digital form saving time and for it to be more practical, we are using the cameras as its own equipment where an SD card would be kept for references if there was a need to go to court or any other issues," he said.