BINTULU: A total of 11 units of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) have been installed in several hotspot areas here to monitor crime and vandalism, even traffic flow, in an effort to enhance security and safety in urban areas.
OVER TO YOU: Mohidin (right) presents the document to symbolically hand over the CCTV Surveillance Command Centre to DSP Poniman (left), witnessed by David (second right) and Shukarmin.
The system, developed by Esmastech Sdn Bhd since mid last year in its first stage costs RM390,481, which also included the setting up of Surveillance Command Centre at Bintulu District Police Headquarters that cost RM44,497.
General manager of Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) Datu Mohidin Ishak disclosed that four cameras were placed in Pasar Utama Bintulu/Tamu Bintulu, four at Bintulu Promenade and three at Millennium Park (Tanjung Kidurong).
“I am happy that the system is up. These CCTVs will allow police to monitor Bintulu town closely, especially the hotspot areas,” he said at a press conference before handing over Bintulu Urban Surveillance System to Bintulu acting district police chief DSP Poniman Magniman yesterday.
Mohidin explained that with the CCTVs, all movements including time and date as well as images of people at the urban centre will be recorded, which would be particularly useful for events involving crimes.
“It could also prevent vandalism and crime. Now we will be able to identify the people involved in vandalism and capture them and their acts through the cameras live,” he said, adding that it would deter the public from doing wrong knowing that they were constantly being watched.
In addition, another four units of the CCTV will also be installed soon in the building behind HSBC/Standard Chartered Bank, City Point, night markets and BDA building/Hoover Hotel in Keppel Road.
“The additional four units will cost RM98,925 and would also be connected to the command centre,” he said.
These 15 CCTVs are connected using high speed wireless broadband and computers, installed by Sacofa and Danawa Resourcess Sdn Bhd.
“The camera is capable also to zoom into an object whenever activities and events take place in the town centre as they are closely monitored by police at the command centre,” he said, adding that the overall project that cost RM533,903, was a cooperation between BDA and Royal Malaysia Police Bintulu.
Meanwhile, acting Bintulu police chief DSP Poniman Margiman said police are grateful to BDA for implementing the CCTV system as it would enable police to monitor and detect movements in these crime prone areas.
“Under the Safe City concept, it can reduce vandalism and monitoring will become much easier and more focused, “he said.
“Thanks to BDA for their efforts to ensure Bintulu city a safe place to live and visit,” he added. Also present at the ceremony were BDA deputy general manager Shukarmin Chasemon, Pansar Company Sdn Bhd and Emastech Bhd Special Projects manager David Tiong Ing Hoe and senior police officers.