SHAH ALAM – The Selangor Road Transport Department (RTD) announced that RTD officers will begin using body cameras this year, following directives from the Transport Ministry.
Its director Azrin Borhan said that the initiative aimed to enhance transparency and integrity in enforcement operations.
"As previously stated by the Transport Ministry, RTD will implement body camera enforcement.
"We welcome this directive as it will strengthen the integrity of our officers, particularly in Selangor, during enforcement activities. It will also boost public confidence that RTD carries out its duties with dedication and integrity," he said when met recently.
The introduction of body cameras is expected to increase public trust in RTD’s enforcement efforts.
According to Azrin, the cameras will not only safeguard officers but also provide an accurate record of events, helping to resolve any disputes or allegations against enforcement personnel.
"With recorded footage of each operation, we can ensure our officers are held accountable and that any complaints are properly addressed," he added.
These measures reflect Selangor RTD's commitment to ensuring safer roads, improving enforcement, and fostering greater public trust.
In addition to officers' body cameras, RTD is also taking significant steps to address the ongoing challenges posed by the "tonto" system, where individuals are paid to protect commercial vehicles and goods on the roads.
These groups have been known to disrupt RTD operations, sometimes engaging in intimidation and threatening violence against enforcement officers.
Azrin emphasised that while the "tonto" problem persists, the situation has yet to escalate to physical altercations.
"These individuals often shadow RTD officers during enforcement actions, and we are aware that they communicate with each other to alert their colleagues when officers are in the vicinity.
"This coordination makes it difficult to carry out our duties effectively,” he said.
Azrin highlighted the importance of collaborating with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) to combat these activities.
He proposed that the police provide security and act as bodyguards during RTD enforcement operations.
With police support, he added RTD officers would be better protected from intimidation and able to enforce the law more effectively.