GEORGE TOWN,January 31 — The Penang government is set to expand its closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage in Seberang Perai, reinforcing its position as Malaysia’s safest city. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced plans to install up to 1,000 additional CCTV units on the mainland within the next two years, complementing the 200 cameras currently in place.
This initiative aligns with the Penang 2030 blueprint, which aims for 5,000 CCTV installations across the state to enhance public safety and crime monitoring. Penang was recently ranked the safest city in Malaysia by Numbeo’s 2025 Crime Index, with a crime score of 30.3 and a safety index of 69.7. Chow welcomed the recognition but emphasized ongoing concerns about drug-related crimes due to Penang’s strategic location as a transit hub for narcotics trafficking.
While street crimes and serious offences have been declining, he stressed that continuous efforts, including increased surveillance and law enforcement collaboration, are necessary to maintain the state’s security reputation.
