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 knives 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...