Anthony Loke Siew Fook
KUALA LUMPUR: Stricter checks, including inspections by the Customs and Immigration departments, will be carried out at VIP lanes at all airports in the country to ensure the facility is not abused, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
He said x-ray scanning machines would also be placed at VIP lanes at KLIA dan KLia2 to prevent smuggling activities, especially of money into the country.
“Indeed, we know there are weaknesses and leakages at the VIP lanes and we have taken action, but we need cooperation from other agencies, and the ministry, together with Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB), has discussed with the Immigration Department and the Customs Department to further tighten existing regulations by placing officers at VIP lanes.
“Currently, there is no Customs and Immigration officers at VIP lanes as Immigration matters are handled by an officer for the VIP concerned, while the Customs check-point is outside the VIP lane. So now, we will have officers stationed at the exit before they (VIP) leave the room,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Pang Hok Liong (Labis-PH) on measures taken by the ministry to ensure cases, like smuggling of money into the country, as was reported to have happened before, would not happen again.
To a supplementary question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) on action taken against passengers who abused the VIP lane, Loke said no action was taken since Pakatan Harapan took over the federal government as there was no case of abuse.
“So, I call on the VIPs, including the Members of Parliament, to cooperate with the authorities at the airports. If there is a check or inspection, do not complain because it is a procedure and we have instructed that no one will be exempted. Whoever uses the special waiting room will also be required to go through checks according to procedure,” he added.
Loke said X-Ray scanning machines would also be placed at airports in stages beginning next year and passengers would no longer have to go through pysical inspection.
Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon also forwarded a question to Loke on whether checks for animals, like dog, would also be carried out at international airports.
“This is a special question from the Deputy speaker. I shall submit a written reply to the Deputy Speaker,” he said. – Bernama