MELAKA: Repairs on six Customs Department scanners at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) have begun, says Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.He said the repairs would cost more than RM1mil.
“The allocations to ministries to repair their machines and other equipment are included in the Budget.
“It’s just that sometimes there are unforeseen things that need a longer process (for approval),” he told reporters after chairing the Customs Department’s integrity course with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) in Bukit Baru here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Customs director-general Datuk Zazuli Johan said the department did not just rely on the scanners as there were other ways to ensure security at the country’s key entry points.
These include on-the-spot observations by officers.
“Last month, for example, we even detected drugs. That means we can still do our job without the scanners,” he said.
During a recent visit to KLIA, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he found only one out of the Customs Department’s seven scanners at the arrival area working, while the rest had been out of service since last year.
“This matter should have been raised earlier; this is one of the weaknesses that we must improve because we want to provide the best service possible to the people,” said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister.
