Improvements to scanning procedures at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will be presented to the Cabinet next week following recent drug smuggling cases.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the Home Ministry (KDN) was currently working on improvements to the existing standard operating procedures (SOP), including reviewing the scope and use of scanning equipment at the airport.
“KDN is drafting improvements to the scanning SOP and related matters, which will be presented to the Cabinet next week,” he said when met after the Transport Ministry’s monthly assembly here on Thursday.
Loke said the capabilities and scope of existing scanners would also be reviewed to determine how the equipment could be further enhanced.
The move comes amid renewed attention on KLIA’s scanning procedures and the effectiveness of airport security measures following recent drug smuggling cases.
Loke also said other security measures were being strengthened, including closer monitoring and screening of flight crew following a case involving a Malaysian Airlines (MAS) pilot who was detained in Indonesia over an alleged drug trafficking offence.
He stressed that the measures would not be limited to Malaysia Airlines Group (MAG), with other airlines also expected to strengthen screening and monitoring procedures involving pilots and cabin crew.
“At the same time, AKPS and MAHB are responsible for tightening screening and vetting, and all these measures are currently being implemented,” he said.
The pilot was detained by Indonesian authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta after allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 70,000 ecstasy pills and 25kg of drugs, worth about RM14 million, on July 29.
Loke said the investigation into the case remained under the jurisdiction of Indonesian authorities and Malaysia would respect the country’s legal process.
“The matter is under the Indonesian authorities, so we need to respect the authorities there, namely the Indonesian police. The investigation is being led by that country and any further action will be determined by the Indonesian authorities,” he said.
He added that Malaysian police personnel had travelled to Indonesia to assist their counterparts in the investigation.
“As far as I have been informed, our police have gone to Indonesia to cooperate with the authorities there in investigating this case,” he said.
