KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department is expanding the use of anti-drone systems and interceptor equipment using local technology across all prison facilities nationwide.
Its director-general, Datuk Nordin Muhamad, said this is to prevent the recurrence of incidents involving the smuggling of prohibited items into prisons using drones.
He said for this purpose, the department has partnered with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
"The department is aware of the threat posed by drones being used by the public to smuggle prohibited items into prisons.
"The department has equipped its facilities, including Tapah Prison, with anti-drone systems and interception equipment.
"To further address the issue, we have also partnered with Mosti to develop and expand local anti-drone technology across all prison facilities," he said in a statement today.
Additionally, Nordin said the department is collaborating with the police for the establishment of a special task force aimed at mitigating these threats.
"This ongoing collaboration highlights our commitment to safeguarding inmates and the wider community from potential dangers," he said.
Earlier today, the authorities intercepted a bold attempt to smuggle suspected drugs into Tapah prison using a drone.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said that the Tapah district police headquarters received a tip-off from a prison staff member around 5pm yesterday on the incident.
He said the staff member discovered the drone on the roof of a prison block during a routine patrol at approximately 11.30am and upon inspection found a laundry bag attached to the drone.
Azizi added that this is the first reported instance of a drone being used to smuggle drugs into a prison.