SHAH ALAM - The authorities need to immediately deploy a system to detect any object that poses a security threat, especially firearms, at all the main airport entrances in the country to prevent shootings at the country's entrances from happening again.
Independent criminologist Shahul Hamid Abd Rahim said the incident on Sunday in which a bodyguard was injured and shot in the airport showed that the existing security features were insufficient and needed to be improved immediately.
Although the incident was personal, he said it was still a security threat and could cause panic and anxiety among the public, especially travellers from abroad.
"After the incident, we can see that the entrance to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was not safe in terms of security because people easily carried firearms and opened fire.
"There should be screening at the main entrance. If abroad, screening is done even at the first entrance. Anyone who carries a firearm could been traced.
"Place detectors for steel and any weapons. If an individual has a firearm, it must be ascertained whether he has the authority to carry the firearm. Apart from the authorities, at least he has a firearms license and so on," he told Sinar.
Shahul was commenting on the shooting incident that happened early Sunday morning at KLIA which shocked travellers and staff at KLIA Terminal 1, believed to be an assassination attempt on a local woman.
Shahul said that in addition to weapons detection devices, the installation of closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) should also be added to monitor any suspicious movements at the airport.
He said the strength of the security personnel also needs to be increased including deploying the army as a security measure.
"The airport that was built is visitor-friendly but there are no safety features. That's the danger.
"This is an airport, anyone can do (unexpected) actions.
"If the security aspect at the entrance of the country is taken lightly, it is feared that it will affect the perception of travellers from abroad," he said.