The Government Is Considering Buying Robots And Drones To Help PDRM Fight Crime
This could be the future of crime prevention in Malaysia.
By Samantha Khor — 18 Aug 2016, 11:16 AM
The government is looking into the need to acquire robots and more drones for the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) following the IGP's recommendations, said Deputy PM Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said that the Home Ministry has already received a proposal from Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in regards to buying robots and more drones to curb crime in the country.
However, the police force might have to wait a little longer for their high-tech helpers as the proposal has yet to be weighed in by the Home Ministry and subject to the Finance Ministry's approval
“We will evaluate the matter but it is subject to approval and budgeting by the Finance Ministry,” said Ahmad Zahid at the closing address for the International Conference on Blue Ocean Strategy (ICBOS) at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
“We will execute this soonest once there is an allocation from the Finance Ministry," he added.
IGP Khalid Abu Bakar had previously suggested that robots and drones are the future of modern policing, saying that the use of such technology would improve crime-busting efforts and speed up crime-fighting work
“While robotics cannot negate or neutralise the intruders, they can send out alerts to the police while assisting in disrupting and delaying the crime in progress,” he explained, adding that robots and drones could be used to capture and send videos of a crime in progress.
"We can envisage that in the near future (of policing), technology will deploy eyes in the sky called 'the Hummingbird', which will be the patrolling drones of our streets and housing estates.
"With heat and movement sensors, they will accurately pick up life forms loitering and lurking at streets or even rooftops to posing potential threats," Khalid said, adding that it would immediately alert the nearest police station or patrol car through its system.
He further added that robots and drones could be the solution to human error when it comes to policing, citing security guards in commercial and residential areas as an example
The IGP explained that security personnel hired to guard residences and businesses often face language and cultural barriers as they are mostly foreigners.
"They may not be as effective as drones in terms of progression and we (as) humans, we are always subjected to error," he said.
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