Government acknowledges need to strengthen airport security to curb drug smuggling
PASIR PUTEH: The government acknowledges that there are still areas that need to be improved in the country's outbound and inbound security systems, particularly at airports, to curb drug smuggling.
The Malaysian government has acknowledged the necessity to enhance airport security in order to prevent drug smuggling. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the government is taking measures to strengthen security across various agencies following instances of Malaysians being arrested for drug-related offenses abroad.
Several agencies, including the police, Immigration Department, Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, aviation security, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, are involved in this effort. Saifuddin revealed that the Home Ministry and Transport Ministry have jointly developed a proposal encompassing 17 measures, which will be executed in three stages: short, medium, and long term.
These improvements target both outbound and inbound security, as several cases have been identified where Malaysians were arrested in foreign countries after departing the country. Saifuddin emphasized that the arrest of Malaysians in other nations' jurisdictions allows the respective countries to enforce their laws, although Malaysian authorities can still request access to detained individuals for interviews and investigations.
He highlighted the importance of close police-to-police relations and ASEAN cooperation in these efforts, as demonstrated by a recent case involving a Malaysian man arrested with 3.452kg of hydroponic cannabis at Chennai International Airport.
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