PUTRAJAYA: Road Transport Department (RTD) enforcement officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras this year, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke today.
He said the cameras will be used to increase transparency in enforcement, particularly involving heavy vehicles, and to protect officers from being verbally abused by motorists.
"The Road Transport Department director-general (Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli) requested funding for the body cameras at last week's dialogue.
"The ministry will discuss with the finance minister to secure the funding as soon as possible."
He said this after officiating the ministry's New Year mandate.
He added that the study involving the use of body cameras was completed last year.
Meanwhile, Loke said vehicle inspection centres would face strict monitoring by the ministry.
He said the periodic inspections for heavy vehicles would be boosted with a focus on critical vehicle components, such as tyres and brake systems.
His response came after a surprise RTD inspection at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom last Monday revealed that an unsafe vehicle had passed inspection.
The RTD officers also found several lorries with unsafe retreaded tyres awaiting inspection.
Following that, four Puspakom officers were summoned to provide statements in connection with the investigation into the issue.
Yesterday, RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said there were "cosmetic agents" providing services such as tyre rentals to allow heavy vehicles to obtain approval from Puspakom.