SEPANG: The Transport Ministry will be introducing a new security mechanism at airports that will take into account existing activities and practices.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said the mechanism would be in place as soon as possible, given the increased global security and safety threats especially at transportation hubs.
He said the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim had been directed on Wednesday to draw up details of the mechanism through its committee, together with relevant agencies and departments.
“Some of the matters that pose obstacles in terms of beefing up security, which we have to consider, include airport design, businesses and visitors sending off their loves ones.
“But we have to increase security and safety at airports as the threats are real following the attacks in Brussels, Belgium and Istanbul, Turkey," he said after opening the 13th Steering Committee Meeting of Cooperative Aviation Security Programme Asia Pacific Region 2016 today.
It was reported that the government was considering a Cabinet proposal to allow only air passengers to enter terminals at all major airports in Malaysia in order to enhance security, while those sending them off should be gathered outside the building or at a particular place.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has been instructed to work out this proposal with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.