KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — The country’s ability to detect contraband at entry points must be boosted with more sophisticated scanning technology, including systems capable of distinguishing between substances at the molecular level, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
He said technologies like diffraction should be considered to improve inspection accuracy, especially to distinguish substances with similar physical appearances such as drugs and milk powder.
He said investment in scanning system upgrades should be given due attention in line with rapid technological advancements, while also taking into account the capabilities of other countries in detecting prohibited substances that might otherwise go undetected during inspections in Malaysia.
“For instance, what we fail to detect here may be detected in Australia, so why can they detect it there, while we cannot identify it here? Well, they have the machines, so why shouldn’t we also upgrade our machines?” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) on the need to ensure AI-based scanning systems at cargo terminals are regularly updated and tested, as well as the role of inspection officers when scanning results contradict their assessments.
Hasbi said that based on his observations during visits to MASKargo and Port Klang, the use of AI technology in scanning systems still needs improvement, especially in data collection, to enhance detection accuracy.
He said some scanners at airports have each accumulated about 15,000 and 8,000 data records, respectively, to improve the efficiency of their AI systems, but the technology is still unable to accurately identify certain objects.
In this regard, he said the experience and competence of inspection officers are crucial in the process, especially when scanners detect anomalies or suspicious objects that need further scrutiny and physical examination.
Earlier, in reply to the original question from Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Independent-Kuala Kangsar) on whether AI scanners at cargo terminals can detect the smuggling of dangerous goods, Hasbi said 132 of the 184 cargo and baggage scanners at the country’s entry points are equipped with AI-based technology.
He said the assets and inspection functions of the Customs Department are being transferred in stages to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) from October 1, 2025, in line with the implementation of the AKPS Act 2024.
