The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) called on airport authorities to invest in more security scanners, rather than ‘undignified’ body frisking at security checkpoints.
MATTA president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the practice of physical patting down of travellers was ‘revolting and unacceptable by most people.’
"This year, we are aiming to attract 29.4 million foreign visitors. All our slogans to portray a good image of our country can come to naught if tourists are not treated with decorum. People everywhere form a lasting impression when they see law enforcement officers stop and frisk suspects on the street. Doing the same would make air travellers feel that they are suspects," he said in a press release.
It became a political issue this week when a politician raised the issue of ‘groping’ during security checks at airports, causing an outcry in Parliament.
This was rejected by deputy transport minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi but has heightened concerns about airport security screening in general as tensions remain high worldwide over terrorism fears.
The minister said electronic body scanners are not fool-proof and cannot detect all types of banned items.
"Not all body sensors can detect, for example, ceramic explosives. These body checks are necessary because we practise high security."
