Govt to improve security in airports

TERROR: Upgrade necessary to ensure safety of people, says deputy minister

THE government will soon introduce a new mechanism to boost security in airports, especially at boarding gates.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the mechanism would take into consideration existing operational procedures.

He said that given the increased terror threats globally, especially in transportation hubs, upgrading security was paramount to ensure people’s safety.

Aziz said ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim had been directed on Wednesday to draw up details of the new mech- anism through a committee, which would include agencies and departments.

“Some of the issues that pose obstacles, in terms of beefing up security, which we will have to consider, are airport design, businesses and visitors sending off their loved ones.

“But we have to increase security and safety in airports as the threat is real, especially in light of the attacks in Brussels and Istanbul.”

He said this after opening the 13th Steering Committee Meeting of Cooperative Aviation Security Programme Asia-Pacific Region (CASP-AP) 2016 yesterday.

Aziz, however, said Kuala Lumpur International Airport complied with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security standards, adding that the last audit was done in 2012, while the next audit was due next year.

He said he wanted the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to come up with stricter measures to screen potential staff and those working in airports to minimise insider threats.

As most contract workers could also be foreigners, proper screening was vital to ensure no one slipped through the system, he added.

Earlier, he said insider threats could come in the form of former employees, current employees, contract workers or partners who had inside knowledge of the industry.

He said such threats were capable of exploitation, tampering, fraud, espionage, theft and sabotage.

Cyber threats to computer systems were also a matter of concern with increasing reliability on technology, he said, adding that such attacks could cause disruptions.

It was reported that the government was considering a cabinet proposal to allow only passengers to enter terminals in major airports to boost security.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had been instructed to work out this proposal with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

Present yesterday were DCA director of aviation security Abdul Rahmat Mahat and ICAO Asia and Pacific Office regional officer Ross Lockie.