KUCHING: The installation of 800 closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) across 200 sites in ‘greater’ Kuching is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the CCTVs were part of the initiative under the Smart City digital economic sector agenda.
“Sarawak Media Authority (SMA) will issue advertisements on the tender of the CCTV installation at the end of this month so that the project can kick off by second quarter of this year.
“It will be done through open tender,” he told reporters when officiating at the Smart City CCTV held near Emart Batu Kawa here today.
Dr Sim further said with the CCTVs, the authorities would be able to monitor traffic congestion and other issues.
The CCTVs, located in the areas of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), will feed the Sarawak Integrated Operations Centre (SIOC) with real-time footages and data on a 24/7 year round basis.
“All forms of data will be centralised and linked to the SIOC which acts as the command centre.
“From there, the data can be accessed by various authorities and agencies, be it the police or the local councils, for robust planning and timely execution of essential services, especially in terms of crime and vandalism prevention, early flood warnings and securing assets close to the respective CCTV sites.”
In Batu Kawa alone, there are about 20 CCTVs to be installed at various places, including Emart Batu Kawa, Batu Kawa Waterfront, Batu Kawa 38 Commercial Centre, MJC, Kuching City Mall, Desa Wira shoplot, Min Lit Secondary School and SJK Chung Hua Moyan.
In another development, Dr Sim said that about 80 percent of the traffic lights in Kuching had been upgraded into the Smart Traffic Light system, which was implemented in Kuching since last year.
He also said under the smart city initiative, Kuching would have smart waste collection thus avoiding the issue of rubbish not collected.
Asked on the location of the SIOC, SMA general manager Dr Zaidi Razak said it would be announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in the near future.
“It is currently under construction but it is already 97 percent complete.”
Also present was Tan Kai, a political secretary to the chief minister.
