RM200,000 more for each speed camera because of training, says government
(The Malaysian Insider) – The home ministry told Parliament today that teaching policemen here how to use two models of speed trap cameras accounted for the huge difference of over RM200,000 per unit paid for by Malaysia compared with prices in the United States.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the suppliers had provided training to policemen here as well as for maintenance of the cameras used to catch speeding motorists.
Earlier today, an opposition lawmaker demanded Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein explain the stiff price discrepancy of over RM200,000 per unit in two models of speed trap cameras for the police it had purchased 17 years ago.
According to market prices then, the Laser Trucam model would have cost only US$5,000 (RM15,300) a unit while the Laser Digicam model would only be US$1,000 more, at US$6,000, Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar said.
These prices are reported to have been paid for by police departments in the United States to the suppliers.
In his answer to Parliament, the deputy minister did not provide a detailed breakdown of the training costs.
While he said that the contracts for the cameras were awarded through an open tender he did not reveal the name of the supplier.
“The difference in price between ours and the ones in the US is because they are manufacturers while we import the cameras in.
“There is an element of training provided by the supplier to the police, maintenance and also a two year warranty,” said Abu Seman.
Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/rm200000-more-for-each-speed-camera-because-of-training-says-govt/
