Police go green with eco-friendly equipment

HULU LANGAT: The police have shown they mean business in going green by buying eco-friendly equipment and materials, including RM400,000 worth of capsicum (pepper) liquid to replace chemical irritants used by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU).

Another RM2mil would be spent on electroshock guns. This is part of a RM5.68mil expenditure to obtain hybrid vehicles, LED signboards and bulbs, biodegradable face masks, food containers and gloves, eco-friendly engine oil, among others, by end of the year.

According to its blueprint on green practices and technology released yesterday, the police force had spent RM18.6mil this year to procure more energy-saving light bulbs, paint paper, eco-friendly breathable fabric and biodegradable body bags, gloves and face masks.

Bukit Aman Logistics Department director Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said police had set a target to have 25% of its procurement to be eco-friendly.

“I am happy to say that we have already surpassed it,” he said.

He said the force planned to purchase about 30 electric motorcycles for the Kuala Lumpur Amanita patrol unit.

Amanita is a government initiative where women are roped in to help promote neighbourhood safety. A female police officer would be assisting them.

Comm Zulkifli said tests were also being done on a hybrid system called Revolo, which if approved, would be outfitted in police patrol cars.

He estimated that an energy efficient patrol unit could save nearly RM6.44mil or 23% of the police’s RM28mil bill on annual petrol fees.

The police, he said, were discussing budget allocations for the new green fleet with the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and Treasury.

“We have been very much involved in green initiatives since 2012. We are looking to have about 30 to 40 electric motorcycles latest by October. It doesn’t use petrol, it’s quieter and suitable for Amanita to raise awareness on being environmentally friendly to the community.”

“The initial investment of a green initiative will always be high but we should calculate the savings these assets would bring,” he told reporters after attending an event called MYHijau Youth Camp for 75 children of police officers.

The camp was aimed at educating the children on how to reduce their carbon footprint.

By NICHOLAS CHENG

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