M’sia looks at plan to restrict terminal access to passengers

ULAN BATOR (Mongolia) —  As concerns grow over airports becoming soft targets for militants, the Malaysian government is looking into a proposal to allow only air passengers to enter terminals at all major airports in the country in order to enhance security.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Friday (July 15), who added that the government has also increased the security level at all entry points following several terrorist attacks around the world, including the latest one in Nice, France, on Thursday night which left at least 80 people dead.  

Mr  Zahid, who is also the Home Minister,  said the Malaysian Cabinet had, at its meeting on Wednesday, proposed that only passengers be ­allowed at the check-in counters, while those sending them off should be gathered outside the building or be allowed to group at a particular place, reported Bernama news agency.  

Mr Zahid, who is in Ulan Bator for the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Summit, added that Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai had been asked to work out the proposal with the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.

“Hopefully, it can be implemented soon,” he said.

Mr Zahid said Mr Liow had also been tasked with finding a mechanism to ensure that vehicles sending off or waiting for air passengers would not park near the airport terminal.  

“Perhaps these vehicles should only be allowed to be at the car park,” he added.

As for tightening security at all­ ­Malaysian airports, Mr Zahid said the steps included increasing the number of police and military personnel to help monitor the entry points and boundaries.

“I have also discussed the security issues with the Home Ministers in neighbouring Asean countries and Aseanapol,” he added.

Aseanapol is a body representing South-east Asian police institutions.

The attacks at Turkey’s Istanbul airport in June and at Brussels airport in March show  busy international airport terminals are now a “soft target” of choice for militants, said terrorism experts. AGENCIES