PARLIAMENT | The government will install special X-ray scanners at VIP lanes in airports to stop the smuggling of money in or out of the country.

"We will place X-ray scanners at the VIP lanes to prevent money laundering. We are aware that this is a problem and that VIP lanes can be abused, so we are tightening regulations," Transport Minister Anthony Loke told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Loke said Customs and Immigration officers will also be stationed outside VIP rooms in airports to check the VIPs.

He was responding to Pang Hok Liong (DAP-Labis) who asked what measures the government was taking to prevent incidents of money smuggling, such as the alleged operation by former intelligence officers who brought in millions of ringgit ahead of the May 9 general election.

The officers with the Malaysia External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) were alleged to have brought in US$12 million from a Middle Eastern source, by abusing their authority to bring in the cash through an airport.

Read more: Source - Ex-spies brought in US$12m from foreign source via Mid East

Responding to an earlier question from Pang on whether MPs were allowed to use VIP rooms, Loke said they were entitled to do so.

However, this is subject to approval by the respective airport operators and the availability of such rooms.

Loke also reiterated that X-ray scanners will also be installed at immigration checkpoints in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA2 so that passengers need no longer be frisked by airport security officers.