Missing MH370: Airport security measures beefed up: Zahid

KAJANG: Airport security measures have been beefed up with stringent checks by Immigration Department on all passengers following the revelation of two passengers using stolen passports on board the missing Malaysian Airlines (MAS) MH370.

Home minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was to avoid further potential risk at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Ahmad Zahid also denied that police were investigating MAS crew and their families from the missing flight.

"We're not investigating the MAS crew and family but any information they might have could be vital like an added value. This is to help facilitate the ongoing investigation on the missing flight.

"We are looking at all angles as mentioned by the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar on the possible theories (hijacking, sabotage, the psychological problem and personal problem of passengers and crew members). This is to determine what could have happened to the missing flight," he said.

Ahmad Zahid was speaking to reporters after the Kajang by-election briefing with the police on the logistic at Maktab PDRM in Cheras, near here.

When asked if the Immigration officers involved with clearing the stolen passport holders have been investigated, Ahmad Zahid said they have done so and the officers have been cleared of any misconduct.

"There are four officers involved, two who cleared the fake passport holders from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur via Qatar Airways on Feb 28 and two who cleared them to Beijing for the MH370 on March 7.

"All four officers followed the standard operating procedures. They are still on duty and have not been suspended from their jobs.

"We are also working with Interpol on the stolen passport syndicate but there are 40.2 million stolen passports world wide. In terms of checking passenger s, the Immigration Department primarily uses the suspect list to verify the people," he said.

He added the police have not received any reports about the missing flight having travelled for hours as reported by several foreign media.

On the Kajang by-election, Ahmad Zahid said that more than 3,000 police personnel have been assigned and they will focus on traffic congestion as it was an issue faced by local folks.

The personnel assigned for the by-election were from different Selangor police districts and they anticipate a smooth by-election.

"We had anticipated some hostile situation before the Pakatan Rakyat candidate was changed but now things are different, so we think it will be very calm.

"We hope both political parties would abide by the rules and avoid provocation while campaigning until the polling day," he said.