Latest news with #KLIA
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
KLIA customs dept foils attempts to smuggle drugs worth RM2.65mil
KLIA customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said customs officers found 5.31kg of ecstasy worth almost RM900,000 at the cargo terminal in the KLIA free trade zone on May 16. (Custom pic) PETALING JAYA : Customs officers recently foiled attempts to smuggle a total of 30.14kg of drugs worth RM2.65 million through KLIA. KLIA customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said a man was arrested on April 17 for trying to smuggle out 14.65kg of cannabis buds worth almost RM1.44 million in his checked baggage on a flight to a European country. He said the man was subjected to a baggage inspection after his travel was blocked by the Border Control and Protection Agency. 'During the baggage scan, the man attempted to flee but was apprehended by customs personnel. 'The inspection found cannabis buds packed in vacuum-sealed plastic to avoid detection,' Bernama reported him as saying today. Zulkifli said on May 16, customs found 5.31kg of ecstasy worth almost RM900,000 smuggled in through a consignment at the cargo terminal in the KLIA free trade zone. He said the drugs, believed to have originated from a European country, were packaged and declared as laptop components. He said 10.18kg of methamphetamine, worth nearly RM300,000, was also intercepted on May 24. They were concealed in a consignment packed with clothing. He said investigations into the drug shipments are under way but face obstacles as the smugglers usually use fake company names and addresses. 'We have gone to the (premises) declared in the consignment information, but the companies either do not exist or have other addresses,' he said.
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Malay Mail
KLIA drug busts uncover RM2.65m in cannabis, ecstasy and meth
SEPANG, June 20 — Customs officers have foiled multiple attempts to smuggle 30.14 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs estimated to be worth RM2.65 million through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). KLIA Customs director Zulkifli Muhammad said that on April 17, a man was arrested for trying to smuggle out 14.65kg of cannabis buds worth almost RM1.44 million in his checked baggage on a flight to a European country. He said the man was subjected to a baggage inspection after his travel was blocked by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) due to a blacklist record. 'During the baggage scan, the man attempted to flee but was apprehended by Customs personnel. 'The inspection found that the cannabis buds were packed in vacuum-sealed plastic to avoid detection,' he told a press conference yesterday. Zulkifli said on May 16, Customs found 5.31kg of ecstasy worth almost RM900,000 that was being smuggled in through a consignment at a cargo terminal operator in the KLIA Free Trade Zone. He said the drugs, believed to have originated from a European country, were packaged and declared as laptop components. Then, on May 24, he said that 10.18kg of syabu, worth nearly RM300,000, concealed in a consignment along with clothing, was also intercepted. He said investigations into both drug shipments are underway, but face obstacles as the smugglers were likely using fake company names and addresses. 'We have gone to the (premises) as declared in the consignment information, but the company either does not exist or is using someone else's address,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ustaz used influence to dupe elderly pilgrims, say cops
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said 22 reports have been filed by family members of the victims. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A man who allegedly duped 47 elderly Muslims into purchasing 'independent' haj packages had used his influence as an ustaz and owner of a madrasah to 'scam' the victims, police said today. Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said an investigation showed that the suspect, 59, directly received the payments for the packages through the madrasah's bank account. The ustaz who was arrested with another 58-year-old man recently, had offered haj packages that did not involve local tour agencies, Harian Metro reported. The ustaz was arrested at KLIA while the other man, who had served as a guide for the pilgrims, was arrested at the Nilai police headquarters. 'A total of 22 police reports have been filed by family members of the victims. Nine of the pilgrims have given their statements so far,' Hasbullah said. It was reported that the 47 elderly victims had purchased the haj package before being forced to go through dangerous passages on foot, and without their passports, to get to Mecca.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
KLIA turnaround now visible but plenty of runway for improvements — Lokman Abdul Salam
JUNE 17 — Kuala Lumpur International Airport's (KLIA) long-awaited Aerotrain is finally nearing its return to service. According to news reports, Transport Minister Anthony Loke also recently hinted that the system is likely to be operational soon. As a frequent flyer who uses KLIA, including on several occasions in May, this news felt like a milestone, and a timely moment to take stock of the progress made and where more can still be done. The changes are easy to see. The airport now looks fresher, with bright new decor and a lively mix of international brands and local favourites. Signage is clearer and more user friendly, even for first-time visitors. Self-service kiosks and biometric gates have started reducing queues, and flight information screens are now more reliable. Behind the scenes, vital infrastructure work is underway. Besides the resumption of the Aerotrain service, baggage handling upgrades to reduce delays are said to be also in the works. Sustainability efforts such as energy-saving lighting and greener water systems are also taking shape. Recently, I also noticed that there are now mobile paramedics in the airport. This will certainly boost response time during emergencies. All these are positive steps, but frequent flyers and Malaysians still hope for more. We need faster immigration clearance, more rest areas and lounges for all travellers, and better pricing in shops and restaurants. Improved integration with public transport, such as the ERL and shuttle buses, would also make travel smoother. Just as important is the human touch. Friendly and multilingual staff can truly help KLIA stand out from the crowd. Bringing KLIA to the next level will require strong coordination across all parties involved, from airport operators to government agencies and investors. The recently formed Gateway Development Alliance, which brings together Khazanah Nasional and EPF as key stakeholders, offers an opportunity to drive long-term improvements with a clear national interest in mind. With the right leadership and continued focus, KLIA can aspire to be more than just an airport. It can become a national symbol of excellence, hospitality, and ambition. KLIA has laid a solid foundation. With continued focus and collaboration, it can grow into a source of pride for Malaysia and a world-class gateway for visitors. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
KLIA Aerotrain back on track with speedy 3-min rides — final safety checks before open to public
After more than 2 years of waiting, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Aerotrain is finally set to resume operations. It is currently undergoing final test runs to ensure it meets the highest safety standards before welcoming passengers once again. Back in Jan 2025, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) Managing Director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani announced that the aerotrain was expected to be operational by the 2nd quarter of the year. On 5 June 2025, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, during the launching of the Selangor Aero Park in Sepang, hinted that the media would soon be invited for an exclusive first look at the new trains. If you've travelled through KLIA, you'll know how inconvenient it's been relying on shuttle buses to move between terminals — especially for families with young children. The self-driving trains promise a more efficient experience, with the capacity to carry more passengers and significantly reduce waiting times. The ride between the main terminal and the satellite building is expected to take just 3 minutes. MAHB has confirmed that the new system is undergoing final safety inspections, which include 80 types of tests such as emergency stops, fault detection, and system responsiveness. It was previously reported that the final testing phase would require the first aerotrain to complete 2km without failure, while the other two trains must each complete 1km. This rigorous process comes after years of multiple breakdowns. The original KLIA Aerotrain, introduced in 1998, had long been plagued by technical issues. Operations were suspended in 2023 following a string of malfunctions. On 27 Feb 2023, one train stalled midway between the main terminal and the satellite building. A second train sent for damage control also broke down, forcing passengers to walk the rest of the way. Just days later, on 1 Mar, another breakdown left 114 passengers stranded, prompting MAHB to suspend the service indefinitely starting 2 Mar 2023. While many had joked about yet another delay, recent updates from KLIA's official social media accounts suggest that the long-awaited relaunch is indeed imminent. Fellow travellers, it looks like smoother rides between KLIA terminals are finally on the horizon. KL to JB ETS launches Aug 2025 — a new era for Singapore-Malaysia travel The post KLIA Aerotrain back on track with speedy 3-min rides — final safety checks before open to public appeared first on
