No knowledge whether Malaysians will face stricter screening in Indonesia

The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) has yet to be informed on stricter screening of foreign visitors including Malaysians arriving at Indonesian airports, said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman today.

In a statement, he said Wisma Putra was aware that the republic's airport authorities carried out random checks on foreign visitors.

As such, he said, Wisma Putra would get further clarification from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry on media reports that foreign visitors, including from Malaysia, would face stricter screening.

Anifah said Malaysia and Indonesia had good cooperation in tackling transborder crimes including drug smuggling.

"The threat of drug smuggling needs to be continuously addressed by the authorities of both countries," he added.

Yesterday, Bernama had reported from Jakarta that Malaysian and Singaporeans entering Indonesia will be facing stricter screening in future to prevent drug smuggling.

The company handling airports in Indonesia PT Angkasa Pura II, in a statement carried by local media, said it was to ensure they did not bring in prohibited items especially drugs,

PT Angkasa Pura II Budi Karya Sumadi managing director said the action was being taken because drug smuggling into the country mostly involved the two nationalities.

- Bernama