The pat-down approach at airport security checkpoints is still needed, despite complaints of such practice causing discomfort to passengers. 

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a parliamentary reply dated Aug 7, said the existing walk-through metal detectors (WTMD) and hand-held metal detectors (HHMD), were unable to detect ceramic knife and other dangerous weapons. 

"Thus, random manual checks on passengers, including body frisking is more appropriate because the existing security equipment cannot detect things like drugs," said Zahid, who is also the home minister. 

According to him, physical checks are stipulated in several aviation regulations, including the Chicago Convention, Security-Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference, and National Civil Aviation Security Programme.

Zahid also denied that the pat-down would cause discomfort to passengers. 

"Such checks are conducted by trained professionals to avoid causing any uncomfortable feelings to passengers."

Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin had twice – in Nov 2014, and in Oct last year – urged the government to adopt a more sophisticated approach to detect prohibited items at airport security checkpoints. 

He said the pat-down approach grossed him out.