Scanning equipment to be used nationwide to check illegal activities

BUTTERWORTH: Scanning equipment worth RM700mil will be used nationwide by end of next year to keep illegal activities in check, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the equipment consisting of six body scanners, eight baggage scanners and 55 cargo scanners would be placed at all border and entry points into the country.

“With the cargo scanners, we can scan lorries without having to manually check them and find out what they are transporting.

“The six body scanners and eight baggage scanners will be placed at airports while the cargo scanners will normally be placed at ports,” he said in a press conference after launching the Customs newly-refurbished multi-purpose hall here yesterday.

Lim said the 55 cargo scanners were priced at RM12mil each and the total cost was estimated at RM700mil but with an open tender, the government might be able to get it for less or use other means in getting the equipment.

“It is not necessary to buy them, we can get it on loan and pay rent to lessen the cost.

“It is, however, essential as what is important is that we see the equipment being used by the end of next year,” he said.

Earlier in George Town, Lim said the Federal government would only recalibrate Budget 2019 if the average crude oil price dipped below US$50 (RM208) per barrel.

He said the budget was prepared based on crude oil prices of US$70 (RM292) per barrel.

“There is no necessity to recalibrate the budget right now as the government is looking at average crude oil prices and not daily prices. Previously, when oil prices rose from US$52 (RM217) per barrel to US$70, we did not recalibrate the budget, so similarly, it has gone down from US$70 to US$52 per barrel now.”

Lim said as long as the average prices were still above US$50 per barrel, there was no need for recalibration, adding that that the market was quite volatile although analysts were still positive the average crude oil prices could reach US$70 per barrel.