{
  "id": 346019,
  "title": "Avsec screening focuses on arms, not contraband, admits minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/avsec-screening-focuses-on-arms-not-contraband-admits-minister-346019",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T03:30:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/09/avsec-screening-focuses-on-arms-not-contraband-admits-minister"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has clarified that baggage screening at Malaysian airports, conducted by Aviation Security (Avsec), primarily targets weapons rather than contraband. The existing scanning machines are functioning optimally and are state-of-the-art, capable of detecting both dangerous items and prohibited substances, according to Bernama. However, Saifuddin acknowledged that the scope of baggage screening at present is more focused on weaponry instead of contraband, such as drugs. He emphasized that enhancing the screening scope to detect other prohibited items, specifically drugs, is an area for improvement, in line with the expertise of the screening officers. Despite this, Saifuddin affirmed that baggage screening at Malaysian airports adheres to international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. A special meeting will be convened involving home ministry agencies tomorrow to explore enhanced security measures at airports. The home and transport ministries have been given two weeks to formulate a comprehensive plan to bolster security at KLIA. This development follows the arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Jakarta, who managed to smuggle approximately 25kg of drugs past baggage screening at KLIA without detection.",
  "summary": "Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail admits this is an area that needs improvement, with the scope of baggage screening to be expanded.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Avsec screening focuses on arms, not contraband, admits minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/avsec-screening-focuses-on-arms-not-contraband-admits-minister",
        "published": "2026-08-09T03:30:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}