Tighter checks at airports’ VIP lanes
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has been ordered to tighten checks at airports’ VIP lanes.
The Transport Ministry gave the directive following the New Straits Times’ exclusive report that such lanes were used to funnel about US$12 million (RM49 million) into Malaysia.
In the report, sources told NST that the funds belonged to the government, but found their way surreptitiously to the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation’s (MEIO) office.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry took a serious view of the matter and had instructed MAHB to beef up security at airports’ VIP lanes.
“We have directed MAHB to review the SOP (standard operating procedure) of VIP lanes.
“I have ordered MAHB to tighten the procedures for VIPs to use such lanes.
“During the previous government’s administration, there was no need for VIPs to go through security checks.
“They just used the VIP lanes. It was a bit lax. We have ordered MAHB to tighten checks at all VIP lanes (at airports).
“The usage of such lanes has to be regulated,” he said during a press conference at the Malaysian Aviation Commission here yesterday.
Loke said the increased security was necessary as only certain people could use such lanes, such as officers and ministry officials.
“Before this, with regard to hand luggage brought into VIP lanes, we were made to understand that inspection was lax.
“We found out about this after revelation from the arrest (of the former director-general of MEIO).
“Because of that, we also want to tighten checks on hand luggage. We have discovered that millions in foreign currencies had been brought in via our airports,” he said.
According to the NST report, the money was brought into the country in mid-April, one week before the 14th General Election, allegedly to fund the polls.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid, the former director-general of MEIO, last Tuesday.
Also arrested were her deputy, who is a Datuk, and six officers.
The Putrajaya magistrate’s court released Hasanah from remand on Monday.