KUALA LUMPUR: Any security enhancing measures at KL International Airport Terminal 1 will require discussions between the police, National Security Council and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said they were also open to input from the police on ways to tighten security at airports.

Apart from the police, MAHB as the airport operator also had its own auxiliary police force, Loke said, adding that this would also be improved.

On whether measures to include metal scanners at airport entry points to improve security would be considered, Loke said this required further discussions.

“Any specific initiatives need consideration from all quarters and discussions have to be carried out between MAHB and the police,” Loke said after the launch of EVlution’s nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging stations rollout here yesterday.

When asked when the discussions would be held, Loke said it would be as soon as possible.

“The police have already taken swift action on the matter, and I am confident that they will share advice with MAHB.

Loke also pointed out that any further measures would be taken by MAHB as it involved operations.

“Any standard operating procedure changes must be discussed thoroughly,” he said.

This comes after Selangor chief of police Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police have suggested improvements to security measures at the airport in the wake of a shooting at KLIA’s arrival hall on Sunday.

He was of the opinion that the traffic lane closest to the entry doors of the arrival and departure lobbies posed potential security risks. The decision to install metal scanners at all entry points, he added, was up to the airport’s management.

“Anything can happen because members of the public can enter without tight checks. It is not like other airports overseas, which have scanners before entering.

“Even if someone were to enter carrying fireworks, we would not be able to detect them,” Comm Hussein said.

At 1.20am on Sunday, travel agency owner Farah Md Isa, better known as Farah Cie, was awaiting her clients’ return from umrah when her estranged husband, Hafizul Harawi, attacked her at KLIA.

Two bystanders were injured by a firecracker that was thrown at Farah Cie’s direction.

Two shots were then fired at Farah Cie at close range; one bullet missed its mark and the other wounded her bodyguard.

Hafizul fled but was apprehended by Kelantan police on Monday and remanded for seven days.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/17/input-from-all-needed-on-security-measures