Initially I thought this is just another case of serious crime occured at a public place. Never mind, the location of the crime (i.e at glamorous Kuala Lumpur International Airport) since crimes can strike anywhere and anytime.
The sore issue that I want to highlight here is the fact that the multi-million Ringgit CCTVs system installed at the airport serve no purpose at all. It was reported that where the crime occurred was monitored by CCTVs but it were not switched on during the incident. Some how, those CCTVs were only switch on after the robber fled the scene with their loots.
The police could only suspect that those monitoring the CCTVs could be involved (pakat) with the robbers or on the other hand those monitoring the CCTVs are really dumb incompetent.
As such, this incident only add on to the list of Malaysian incompetency. The entire security team that monitor those CCTVs should be sack including their chief security officer. KLIA is a public place and also a major point of entry for foreigners coming to Malaysia and with the lack of security, how would Malaysian and visitors feel safe.
Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd, the company that operates KLIA mentioned that it was not a security breach. Tahi lembu. It is a security breach if the CCTVs was there but not switch on. Yes, another case of "First class infrastructure, third world mentality".
Related post:
* Slack security in KLIA
Extracted from: nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2210531/Article/index_html (Apr 11, 2008)
KLIA Heist: CCTVs not switched on during shoot-out
KUALA LUMPUR: The closed-circuit television cameras outside the Kuala Lumpur International Airport departure hall were not switched on during the shoot-out.
And it was also revealed that the off-duty policeman, who was initially thought to have been caught in the crossfire, was involved in the shoot-out with the gunmen.
The policeman, however, was hit twice and his police-issued semi-automatic pistol was taken by the gunmen.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said checks showed the CCTVs were switched on again after the five-minute shoot-out.
"It has hampered police investigations. We were hoping that the footages from the CCTVs could have provided us with information about the gunmen," Bakri said.
"What's the point of having CCTVs if they are not switched on? It is not for decorative purposes."
Bakri declined to elaborate on the matter but said police were working on several leads, including photofits of the suspects, based on eye-witness accounts.
"We believe that at least two of the gunmen were injured in the shoot-out. We are on the lookout for those seeking treatment for gunshot wounds."
Police are pulling out files on Indian gangs who were linked to similar robberies in the past as the gunmen who shot the moneychangers on Wednesday were said to be of dark complexion and had shouted instructions in Tamil.
The gunmen were believed to have escaped in two four-wheel drives, believed to be a BMW and a Toyota Hilux. Until press time, no arrests have been made, nor have the vehicles been spotted.
Bakri did not discount the possibility that the robbery was an inside job as very few people knew of the moneychangers' movements on Wednesday.
Malaysia Airports Berhad senior general manager (operations) Da-tuk Azmi Murad refused to comment on the CCTVs.
"This is a police case. Let the police comment on this," he said, adding that it was helping police in the investigations.
When pressed further, he said the CCTVs were operated by it.
Two CCTVs are visible at the driveway outside the departure hall.
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Extracted from: nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Letters/2209764/Article/index_html (Apr 11, 2008
Airport shoot-out: Tighten security at KLIA
By : WILLIAM DENNIS, Subang Jaya
THE attack on moneychangers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Wednesday ("Shoot-out at KLIA" -- NST, April 10) is a reminder to the police and government agencies that security at the airport needs to be stepped up.
For a start, the no-waiting and no-parking rules outside the arrival and departure halls at the airport must be enforced.
This is one way to prevent undesirable elements, including touts, from hanging about in the area.
The use of the drop-off point for travellers arriving in taxis should be restricted to that class of public transport.
At present, it is used by all kinds of transport vehicles. Private vehicles dropping off people should do so only at (other) designated areas.
Private vehicles should not be allowed to use the pick-up point for taxis.
Motorists park where they please at the KLIA and at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal. This has been a major problem since the opening of KLIA and LCCT.
As a frequent traveller, I have noticed that the problem is getting worse by the day.
The police and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) security should also consider restrictions on those entering the check-in terminal. Perhaps only air travellers should be allowed in.
Security personnel should check the passenger's ticket against his passport at the entrance to the departure hall: no air ticket, no entry.
This may sound drastic but many airports, including those in the Philippines and China, have implemented this.
Implementing this at KLIA is likely to see the need for an increased workforce, hence an increase in security costs, but prevention is better than cure.
Put the additional cost on the traveller as a security charge but ensure that security is stepped up and that the airport is safe for travellers and workers.
On Tuesday, a passenger bound for Dhaka passed through security at KLIA with a fruit knife and boarded his flight. This is a breach of security. The following day, the robbery took place.
For two serious incidents to take place at the airport on consecutive days prompts me to ask: what next?
The robbery on Wednesday has not only tarnished the image of the airport but also that of the country. Let's hope the security cameras at the airport were functioning at the time of the robbery for the police and MAHB security division to view.
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