Police to place personnel in aviation security team

KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will place its personnel within the aviation security team, with implementation details now being worked out together with the Home Ministry, the Transport Ministry and related agencies.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said the details include the scope of duties, deployment locations, manpower requirements, areas of responsibility and operational coordination.

"PDRM is of the view that the involvement of the police in the aviation security ecosystem will strengthen intelligence-sharing capabilities, early detection, enforcement coordination as well as immediate action against any threat or criminal activity seeking to exploit aviation facilities and procedures," he said in a statement last night. (Translated from Malay.)

Layered system

Khalid stressed that the move would form part of a more comprehensive and layered security system, covering strengthened access control, screening procedures, security checks, risk assessment and strategic cooperation among all agencies and stakeholders.

He said tighter, integrated and intelligence-based security controls were believed capable of strengthening prevention, reducing risk and closing gaps that could potentially be exploited by irresponsible parties.

"PDRM gives its assurance that aviation security and the security of the country's entry and exit points will continue to be given priority.

"Any attempt to use the aviation industry as a channel for criminal activity will not be compromised on," he said.

Follows pilot's arrest

On Wednesday, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the government would place police personnel within AVSEC as an immediate measure to strengthen security controls at airports.

The step follows the case of a Malaysian pilot detained in Indonesia on suspicion of drug smuggling.