I AM concerned about the “secret” luggage checks by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) as reported by Richard Low (”Improve inspection system” - NST, Jan 18).

As far as I am aware, there are no “secret” checks done by MAHB. The luggage tampering reported by Low is nothing more than a case of theft by the baggage handlers, either at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport or at the destination airport.

If there is such a thing as a “secret” baggage check, then such an exercise must be officially declared by MAHB to the passenger and to the destination airport authority. The declaration should be done with an official search document which is to be affixed to the baggage inside a sealed plastic bag.

The passenger should, upon seeing the document, inform the destination airport authority that his baggage had been inspected without his prior knowledge and that the contents of his baggage are no longer his responsibility.

A passenger should be allowed to make such claims upon his return from the trip after showing the MAHB search document.

Since all baggage are screened before they are checked into the flight, the passengers must be made to open the baggage if officials see anything unusual in them.

MAHB must take full responsibility for any damage done to the baggage or any loss of personal belongings that passengers suffer from their “secret” baggage checks.

ZAHAR, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – January 24, 2008