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Malaysia to focus on airport security
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Visitors look out from viewing gallery as a Malaysia Airlines jet sits in the tarmac at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Malaysia, Aug. 29, 2014. (AP/Lai Seng Sin)
T
he Cabinet has proposed to increase security at Malaysia's international airports in the wake of terrorist attacks at similar facilities overseas.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting also agreed that enhanced security measures should be carried out.
These included deploying more auxiliary policemen by Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd and Civil Aviation Department, undercover detectives and soldiers to carry out joint patrols at airport buildings.
The airport authorities would also be directed to install more high-definition CCTVs and facial recognition cameras at immigration counters.
“We cannot allow our airport security to be compromised.
“I have discussed this matter with the Transport Minister and I believe that the blue ocean strategy of collaboration on airport security will be a success,” Ahmad Zahid told Malaysian journalists here on Monday.
On the proposal to allow only air passengers to enter check-in counters or inside the terminals at all major airports to enhance security, Ahmad Zahid was earlier reported to have said that only passengers would be allowed at check-in counters while those sending them off had to stay outside or at designated places.
He added that Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai was asked to look for a mechanism to ensure that vehicles sending off or waiting for passengers would not park at the terminals.
On March 22, two explosions occurred at Brussels Airport when suicide bombers carrying explosives in large suitcases attacked the departure hall.
Thirty-two civilians and three perpetrators were killed, and more than 300 people were injured.
Another bomb was found during a search of the airport.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Ahmad Zahid also said that a total of 41 prisoners from India now held in Malaysian prisons and are serving less than six months of incarceration will be allowed to return home to serve the remainder of their prison terms under a request brought up by the Indian government.
The move was agreed upon following his meeting with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval here on Monday.
He said the 41 prisoners had fulfilled all obligations under international law related to the transfer of prisoners, including having six months of jail term from the date of the transfer request by the prisoners.
They must not be those who have been sentenced to death, or had committed rape or sodomy.
“Malaysia and India will discuss the legal details before the transfer is agreed upon,” he said.
