GEORGE TOWN: Penang is regarded as the safest state in Malaysia and the 77th safest place in the world, according to the latest rankings from Numbeo, a global collector of data about cities and countries worldwide.

It is partly due to the more than 1,300 public security cameras creating a 24/7 “omnipresence” of authorities all over the state.

The cameras have a facial recognition system using artificial intelligence (AI), and if you are wanted by the police, the system will spot you right away and a message is sent to the police.

Coming up next for the state will be automatic vehicle number plate recognition.

Penang is the first state in the country with facial recognition software in its public security cameras run by by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), since 2019.

Penang island has 1,100 CCTVs while there are 240 cameras on the mainland. By 2027, there will be about 1,000 such cameras on mainland Penang too.

These cameras can zoom in to take mugshots of people.

Other systems to be included over this public security infrastructure include traffic volume count and speed detection.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said there are plans to instal more cameras on the mainland.

“We can instal more than 1,000 CCTVs (close circuit television) there.

“It is ongoing and will be completed in one or two years,” he said at a press conference held after his Chinese New Year Open House at Setia SPICE Convention Centre here yesterday.

Chow said he is grateful that Penang has been globally listed as the safest state in the country.

“For a number of years the crime rate in the state, especially road related crimes, robberies and other serious crimes have been under control,” he said.

Penang secured the 77th spot globally, boasting the lowest crime index among five major Malaysian cities featured in the study.

Johor Baru secured the second safest spot in Malaysia and 226th place worldwide. Klang was ranked 275th globally, ahead of Kuala Lumpur, which was placed at 313.

In Johor Baru, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Johor chapter chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the ranking showed that efforts made by the state government and the police were bearing fruit and more should be done to improve its ranking internationally.

“The state government is working closely with security agencies such as the police to bring down the crime rate in Johor Baru to make it a safe place for all.

“Through the local councils, in particular those located under Johor Baru district, the state has been using AI CCTVs to monitor security and traffic management,” Tee said yesterday.

(Cover image by Jeniffer, Wai Ting Tan)