As a result of the missing MH370 incident, every international airport has to tighten security checks before take-off so as to avoid any untoward incidents recurring in the future.

Every passenger and aircraft has to be examined more carefully before departure for the safety of passengers using the aircraft. Hopefully the missing aircraft MH370 can be found safe.

As reported in the media, the Royal Malaysian Customs (RMC) has placed four scanners that use a system of wave and body temperature at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in order to prevent the smuggling of drugs into the country. This is one of the best ways to prevent the drug smuggling into this country.

However, many are still wondering why during the inspection, the passengers are told to take of their belts? What is the rationale for this? It is troublesome for the passengers to take off and put back their belts during the inspection. Can’t a scanner or security guard detect any objects that could be hidden in the belts during body searches?

Many passengers complain that removing a tight belt causes the queue to slow down when it’s time to take off. This delays the late passengers who have to rush to the departure hall. If the belts may threaten safety or are a way to hide smuggled goods, it feels like it is quite irrelevant. If the belts are the among the source of smuggling, why not ban passengers from using belts before and after the inspection so they do not need to use it while in the aircraft.  

This matter is probably taken for granted by some people. The important thing is that security at the airport should explain before passengers enter the aircraft so that they are not disturbed during a security check at the departure hall.

We hope there is a more sophisticated scanning machines that can detect the whole body of the passengers and can detect all types of equipment or suspicious items from being brought in by the passengers without having to remove their accessories like watches, shoes, belts and so on. This will facilitate all matters pertaining to inspection on every passenger through the scanning machines.

We suggest that the customs and the security at the airports buy a ‘wave system scanner’ machine that is even more sophisticated to make rigorous examination without troubling the passengers who want to travel in comfort.

Indeed, we strongly agree with the strict inspections on every passenger who uses international travel aircraft but the security must also provide comfort to passengers so that their journey is not disturbed by methods that are quite extreme during the inspection until it inconveniences their movement before take-off.

Inspection for domestic flights should only be inspected as usual without having to remove the belt that only troubles the passenger. Look for the best method for the safety and the comfort of the air passengers.

I hope the authorities concerned will cooperate and further clarify on the security before and during their stay in the aircraft. Cooperation with the relevant parties is highly appreciated.

JOFRI JARAIEE is Sarawak PAS deputy commissioner III-cum-Miri PAS chief.