Malaysia's Interior Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has acknowledged that baggage screening at Kuala Lumpur International Airport does not focus on detecting narcotics and other contraband. The acknowledgement follows the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines pilot by Indonesian authorities for attempting to smuggle 26 kilograms of ecstasy and methamphetamine upon landing at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang.
Saifuddin stated that the scanning machines at the airport technically have full capability to detect contraband such as narcotics. However, he acknowledged that the screening protocol currently applied prioritises the detection of weapons, including firearms, sharp objects, and explosives.
The Director-General of the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, explained that baggage screening is carried out by Aviation Security with assistance from additional police, in accordance with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Saifuddin stated that the gap in narcotics detection indicated the need for improvement, particularly in the expertise of inspection officers.
The Malaysian Government remains open to using more advanced screening equipment in the future, although the existing machines already have high detection capability. Saifuddin said various types of equipment with higher capability are available for screening systems at airport entry points.
