MATTA calls for full-body scanners at airports

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents today proposed that full-body scanners be used at Malaysian airports instead of passengers being subjected to manual frisking.

MATTA president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the act of security officers stopping and frisking passengers could give the impression that they were being suspected for some reason.

"As safety ought to be given top priority, our airport police should be equipped with scanners and not use hands to run over a person's body. A pat down by a male officer can be revolting and unacceptable by most people.

"However, they would be appreciative if scanners are used and even grateful for the safety and security precautions taken," he said in a statement.

The MATTA suggestion comes in the wake of a question directed at the Transport Minister in the Dewan Rakyat by Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) as to why passengers were subjected to body checks by security personnel at airports instead of using the body scanner.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, in response to the question, said the matter would be brought to the attention of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

Following airline bombing attempts in the 2000s, support emerged for having full-body scanners at many international airports as they have the capability to detect non-metal objects which were also deemed as threats.

However, despite having the scanners that could avoid passengers from having to remove clothes or being subjected to physical contact, some people have objected to having their nude pictures displayed to screening agents or recorded by the government.