RANDOM LUGGAGE CHECK AT AIRPORTS NEXT WEEK

KUCHING (Malaysia), Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Random checks on luggage and hand
luggage of airline passengers will start next week aimed at stepping up security
at airports.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator T.Murugiah said
Kuching International Airport (KIA) in East Malaysia state of Sarawak would be
the first to implement the system to be followed by other airports in stages.

"It may inconvenience passengers but is necessary for security to prevent
theft cases. Security officers will check the tag to see whether information on
the luggage like serial number during "check-in" is the same as that on the
ticket," he told reporters after a briefing on security at KIA here Thursday.

Murugiah said the system would not only be implemented at airports used as
main entry points but also those in major towns.

On its implementation at KIA, he said the airport authority would be
briefing airlines soon.

"In future, we may decide to check all the passengers luggage. For a start,
it will only be done randomly," he added.
-- BERNAMA