PUTRAJAYA, Aug 27 Asia Pulse - Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday the installation of the state-of-the-art scanners at the exit and entry points not only enhanced the country's security but also raised national revenue.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the use of the machines by the Selangor Customs Department had increased its revenue by 47 per cent.
"The scanners have not only raised revenue, they can also detect goods that are being smuggled such as drugs or weapons," he told reporters after closing a seminar on the state-of-the-art scanning machines for security, anti-smuggling and border control at the country's exit and entry points, here.
He also witnessed the signing ceremony for the handing over of the Linear Accelerator machine from the Customs Department to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Nuctech Company Limited from China, the supplier of the scanning machines purchased by the Customs Department, had agreed to donate one unit of the Linear Accelerator to a local university for the purpose of technology transfer.
Najib said the scanning machines were very effective in checking smuggling activities because of its high quality image and that it could scan the goods without having to unload them.
"Its use is very effective because we don't have to unload the goods as it is a safe form of x-ray and produces a very clear picture.
"So, if the people know that we have this machine, they will be afraid and will not try to smuggle goods into the country," he said.
He wanted the scanning machines to be used in other places too because its purchase was a good investment in raising national revenue.
Earlier, in his speech, Najib said he hoped all agencies guarding the national entry and exit points would plan and study thoroughly their requirements to purchase needed equipment such as scanner machines and other security and safety related equipment to avoid waste and redundancy.
"For a major trading nation like Malaysia, whose continuous prosperity is dependent on global trade and investment, a judicious equilibrium needs to be achieved between the requirement for border protection and the efficient flow of goods and people.
"We cannot afford to have a fortress mentality nor can we afford to have a lackadaisical attitude towards border security. It is in this crucial aspect where technology can play a pivotal role making security a less intrusive endeavour," he said.
He also said UKM should take this opportunity in line with Malaysia's aspiration to become a regional centre of educational excellence to explore new technologies and discipline in developing their Research and Development (R&D) capability.
(BERNAMA-OANA)