Sniffer dogs part of routine procedure: Aussie envoy

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In an attempt to smooth the ruffled feathers of International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Peter Varghese had sent her a letter explaining that the use of sniffer dogs on her baggage in Sydney was non-discriminatory and merely for security purposes.

In the letter dated Nov 22, the envoy said security officials at the World Trade Organisation meeting attended by the minister had checked the luggage of all delegates at some point or other.

He stressed that Rafidah was not specifically singled out.

"The New South Wales Police, who were responsible for security during the meeting, confirmed that bomb detection dogs were used to check the luggage, including cabin luggage, of all ministers and delegates without exception," he said in the letter made available to the media today.

Varghese ended his posting here on Nov 30. He will be replaced by James Wise who is expected to assume office in January.

Rafidah had criticised Australia's security officials for "treating her like a terrorist" during her visit there two weeks ago.

The minister said officials demanded that her hand-luggage be checked by sniffer dogs at the Sydney airport and a hotel, but pointed out that delegates from Indonesia were not required to undergo the same security procedure.

Varghese said in the letter that ministers from South Korea and Indonesia did not have their bags checked at the airport because they had bilateral programmes in Sydney.

"The NSW Police has however assured...that (the ministers') bags were checked by bomb detection dogs when the ministers subsequently returned to the VIP lounge at the airport prior to travelling to the (WTO) meeting venue," he said.

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