PUTRAJAYA, Aug 20 — The Cabinet has approved 17 recommendations to strengthen security controls, screening and risk management at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the country’s international entry points.
The recommendations were contained in a joint memorandum by the Home Ministry and Transport Ministry, with six measures identified as immediate priorities, or “quick wins”.
These include targeted risk-based screening to enhance checks on flights, passengers, crew and baggage identified as high-risk.
The government will also strengthen e-vetting and access controls for flight crew, airline employees, airport operations and ground-handling personnel, airport operator staff, vendors, contractors and others requiring access to restricted security areas.
Drug screening for aviation personnel will also be strengthened through pre-employment, periodic and random testing of pilots, cabin crew and relevant staff.
The government will increase the visible presence of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) at strategic locations as a deterrent, supported by additional General Operations Force (PGA) personnel on every shift at KLIA’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Security and intelligence information sharing will also be enhanced through the National Immigration Command Centre (NICC).
The sixth immediate measure is the establishment of a Home Ministry-Transport Ministry Technical Committee, jointly chaired by the ministries’ respective secretaries-general, to coordinate implementation, resolve inter-agency issues and monitor the overall action plan.
The ministries said the six measures form the short-term priorities under a broader plan to strengthen the integrity of security controls at KLIA and the country’s international entry points.
The remaining recommendations will be implemented in medium- and long-term phases, with the medium-term phase focusing on technology, assets and human resources, while the long-term phase will involve system transformation, information sharing, governance and the expansion of measures to other international entry points based on risk and suitability.
The action plan was drawn up following several incidents that raised concerns over the integrity of national security controls, including the detention of a Malaysian in Indonesia over alleged drug trafficking and several high-profile security incidents.
KLIA will serve as the pilot location before the plan is progressively expanded to other international entry points based on threat levels, operational requirements and the suitability of each location.
The government, through the Home Ministry and Transport Ministry, said it was committed to implementing all recommendations professionally, with integrity and in accordance with the law while taking into account individual rights, data protection and the interests of passengers and the aviation industry.
It said the measures would strengthen national security, improve the integrity of international entry points and maintain the confidence of Malaysians, tourists and the international aviation community in Malaysia’s security system.
