KUCHING, Aug 27: The first close-circuit television (CCTV) project that is to be installed in India Street, Jalan Courthouse and the Courthouse Connector would help to provide better safety for everyone, said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and DBKU) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
According to Dr Abdul Rahman, the RM175,000 project is one of the continuous efforts that is being undertaken by the Sarawak government to ensure public safety, apart from providing the best services to the people.
“This is a good joint effort from all parties involved as it will benefit everyone, especially traders, business operators, and the public at large. At the same time, it would also help the authorities better in discharging their duties and services,” he said during the commencement launch of CCTV for India Street, Jalan Courthouse and the Courthouse Connector ceremony held at a local hotel, today.
Dr Abdul Rahman noted the 26 CCTVs that will be installed in this location are also in line with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision of digital economy.
He added with the assistance of technology, it would truly improve public safety and become a visible part of the digital smart city concept.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Dr Zaidi Razak, noted that the Sarawak government, through SMA, has already implemented several smart city initiatives under the SMA’s Digital Economy Smart City Action strategy.
“Together with Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE) and close public sector partnership, this is SMA’s continuous effort to support public safety initiatives,” he assured.
The project grew out of the outreach by community association, and in this case, the India Street Pedestrian Mall Committee, headed by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, to the state government through The Old Kuching Heritage (Business Heritage) committee headed by Datuk Steve Ng.
The uniqueness of the project is that it is a multi-faceted model to crime prevention and community safety, where the CCTV system will effectively monitor activity on pedestrian streets, serve as a deterrent to street crime or to discourage and detect unlawful behavior.
It will also engender a sense of security, record any incidents for use by authorities and protection of council’s assets and resources, including a high standard of system management including maintenance and handling of footage.
Also present were Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan and other distinguished guests. –DayakDaily.
