Penang state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said this in response to claims by a Penang MCA leader that the state had overspent on CCTV installations across the island.
“Yesterday, I was asked by the media to comment on a question made by a Penang MCA leader that the CCTV cameras installed by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) cost RM59,707 per unit and that it is five times more expensive than those installed by KL City Hall (DBKL).
“The MCA leader also claimed that it should cost only RM600 per CCTV camera installation,” Chow said in a statement today.
He then proceeded to explain what was covered by the RM47.78 million the state paid for the 718 CCTV cameras.
“The cost works out to an average of RM66,500 per unit of CCTV camera but it also covers the cost of site mapping, underground mapping, CCTV posts, lighting and earth system, electricity cable and board.
“Aside from that, the cost also includes a public announcement system and a wireless network system,” Chow said.
He added that the state government ensured the contract sum also included a five-year maintenance contract for all the equipment and five control rooms, which are located at Komtar and selected district police headquarters on the island.
“The control rooms have a video management system, video recording system, control centre operation system and network infrastructure, from control room to wireless base station.
“With all this, and the CCTV cameras being located in various crime hotspots and traffic intersections in the island, we can make Penang safer and also better control the traffic situation,” Chow said.
According to the Padang Kota state assemblyman, MBPP awarded the contract for the entire CCTV installation through an open tender.
Turning the tables on Penang MCA and the Barisan Nasional federal government, Chow said the urban wellbeing, housing and local government ministry had in 2015 implemented a CCTV programme in Penang island with a budget of RM5.049 million for just 32 cameras.
“This would put the per installation price at RM157,800. Maybe the ministry can explain why it is so much higher than that implemented by MBPP,” Chow said.