SPECIAL TEAM TO BEEF UP KLIA SECURITY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Security at the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA) has been beefed up with the formation of a special
team under the General Operations Force (GOF) to monitor the country's main
entrances.

The 42-strong team is equipped with firearms, as well as tactical and
technical skills to react quickly to any situation.

"It will act as a response team to control the situation before a support or
elite team arrives," said GOF (Border Safety Management and International
Airports) deputy director Salleh Mat Rasid.

He said its operations would also be extended to other airports.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Airport Safety Management Course
Series 1/2009 at the PGA Central Brigade Shooting Range here Friday, Salleh said
GOF had outlined several training syllabi based on skill and efficiency,
especially in close quarter battle and firearm handling to strengthen the team.

He added that the police were also looking to extend the GOF's role in
stepping up security in airports nationwide.

Salleh said, since the GOF was tasked with security in the airports on May
15, last year, 37,577 individuals were checked, with 39 detained for various
offences.

He said the GOF also assisted in eradicating taxi touts where 7,218 vehicles
were checked and 106 seized. Action was taken against 681 drivers.

Salleh said currently, 1,141 GOF personnel were stationed to monitor five
airports in the country. Of the numer, 545 were based in KLIA.

-- BERNAMA