The National Security Council (NSC), police and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) will discuss ways to enhance security at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 in the wake of the recent shooting incident. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said advice will be sought from the police on how to tighten security.
“Apart from the police at our airport, airport operators also have their auxiliary police, and this will be improved,” he told reporters. Asked if placing metal detectors at airport entrances would be considered, Loke said this would require further discussion although there were no plans for it at the moment.
“Any specific measures require consideration from all quarters and discussions will be carried out between MAHB and the police,” he said, adding that this will be held as soon as possible. “The police have already taken swift action on the case, and I am confident that advice and further discussions will be held with MAHB as well,” he added. MAHB would oversee future security measures as these would involve the airport’s operations and standard operating procedures, he said.
There was pandemonium at KLIA Terminal 1 recently after gunshots were heard in the arrival hall. At 1.20am, travel agency owner Farah Md Isa, better known as Farah Cie, was awaiting the return of clients who had used her services to perform umrah.
A firecracker was thrown in her direction, injuring two bystanders. Two shots were then fired at Farah Cie at close range. One bullet missed while the other hit her bodyguard who shielded her and was wounded in the stomach. The shooter then fled to his car at Block C of the airport carpark.
The suspect was apprehended by Kelantan police on Monday (April 15) at 3pm after fleeing KLIA following the incident, and has since been remanded for seven days after a Magistrate’s Court in Kota Baru allowed the police application for remand on Tuesday.
On Monday, Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police have suggested improvements to security measures at the airport. He was also of the opinion that the traffic lane closest to the entry doors of the arrival and departure lobbies posed potential security risks. “That inner lane shouldn’t be open to the public. And this has been brought up by the police in the past,” he said. He added that the decision to install metal scanners at all entry points was up to the airport management.
“Anything can happen because 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
