By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: Be alert as Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology have now been installed at five identified hotspots for illegal waste dumping.
The CCTV installations were carried out at Pasar Gunung Rapat, Halaman Ampang Mewah, Persiaran Wira Jaya Timur 50, Jalan Desa Ampang, and Jalan Harilela A1 from mid to late December last year.
The RM50,000 project is managed by the Gopeng Member of Parliament Service Centre in collaboration with the Simpang Pulai State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) Service Centre.
Simpang Pulai ADUN, Wong Chai Yi, said the initiative aims to educate the community about the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness.
She said the initiative is the first of its kind in the country as it is fully managed by the ADUN’s service centre.
“This is not just an ordinary CCTV, but one equipped with AI technology that allows for live monitoring and is capable of identifying illegal waste dumping activities, as well as recognizing individuals or vehicles involved.
“This AI CCTV will ‘zoom in’ clearly, whether it’s day or night, or even during rain.
“The information obtained will be handed over to the authorities for further action,” she said at a press conference held at the CCTV installation site at Pasar Gunung Rapat.
Also present at the location was Gopeng Member of Parliament, Tan Kar Hing.
Chai Yi said the team has received encouraging feedback from local residents after the CCTV was installed.
“We received positive responses from the community, reporting a drastic reduction in waste at the five locations where the CCTV cameras were installed.
“We hope this effort will help curb illegal dumping and raise awareness for everyone to dispose of waste in the proper places,” she said.
She also mentioned that, so far, five cases of illegal dumping have been identified through CCTV reports.
“Previously, people were dumping waste outside trash bins and in nearby drains, which were also filled with rubbish.
“MBI (Ipoh City Council) collects trash at scheduled times, so if the bins are full, they can contact MBI or the service centre directly,” she said.
Additionally, she mentioned receiving requests to install similar CCTV cameras in other locations.
“We are indeed working on adding more AI CCTV systems in other locations that face illegal dumping issues,” she added.
