PUTRAJAYA: The government will look into upgrading scanning machines at airports nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen security and improve the effectiveness of baggage screening, said Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the government was always open to exploring the use of the latest screening equipment in line with technological advancements, particularly at the country’s main entry points.
He added that the existing scanning machines at airports were functioning well and had a high capability to detect dangerous items and other prohibited materials.
“Are we going to remain static with the existing machines going forward? Certainly not, because there are various types of equipment available for airport entry-point screening that are far more advanced and have greater capabilities.
“We are always open to ideas on adopting all types of new equipment,” he said at a press conference after the flag-off ceremony for the Star City FC Tour Convoy here today.
Airport security control has come under scrutiny following several recent cases involving Malaysians, including the detention of a Malaysian pilot after about 25 kilogrammes of MDMA-type drugs were seized at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia last week.
Saifuddin Nasution said baggage screening at airports was the responsibility of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) team and was in line with international airport screening standards under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In this regard, he said improvements to the scope of baggage screening were also being considered to enable prohibited items, including drugs being smuggled, to be detected.
“From the perspective of the screening scope, the focus (currently) is more on weaponry than contraband. We see this as one of the areas for improvement that we need to focus on, in line with the expertise of the officers conducting the screening,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said he and agencies under the Home Ministry would hold a special meeting tomorrow to examine the implementation of a comprehensive plan to improve security controls at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
“Home Ministry and Transport Ministry have been asked to submit a comprehensive improvement plan aimed at mitigating incidents in terms of operations, equipment and manpower,” he said.
Earlier, Saifuddin Nasution said the Cabinet had instructed the Home Ministry and the Transport Ministry to submit a comprehensive plan to improve security controls at KLIA within two weeks.
He said the directive followed the government’s concerns over the latest incident, which was viewed as potentially tarnishing the country’s image as well as creating a perception that there were weaknesses in the security control system at the premises. – BERNAMA
