Security at KUL
 

I am currently in the Malaysia Airlines lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Being a pretty frequent traveller I have seen varying levels of security from pretty enhanced security at Tel Aviv'S Ben Gurion Airport to less so, such as some North African airports. What I saw going on in KLIA today has shocked me and to be honest has made me want to get this flight over and done with pretty quickly. There is lack of security and there is no security, which seems to be the case here in the Malaysian capital. The normal metal detector and X-ray machines were there and operating but the key difference was the vital human component was not.

No bags were required to be empty of any items (laptops, liquids etc), belts, boots and overcoats were left on individuals as well as full pockets to walk through the metal detector. As expected everyone was setting the detector off, but then instead of being patted down, searched and prodded, people were invited to walk on straight into the departure hall. As for bags, not a single bag search. No one was sat by the screen showing the X-ray images. Sadly Malaysia has created the terrorist's airport dream. Even though I'm not on a BA flight today as a frequent passenger of theirs, I sm going to highlight this as it compromises the security of their flights too.

There are two security checks at KLIA. From your description you seem only to have been through the first check. The second more rigorous check is upon entry to the gate.

Doc Copper

I'd agree with the second poster. The check after normal 'security' is virtually non-existent. When you get to the gate however, you get a much more thorough search, including liquids etc.

I find that beacuse there ARE two check points, that each check point relies on the other to find contraband. I've been through KUL plenty of times, and next felt that the security screening was very good. I've got large liquids (cans of coke etc) through both on multiple occasions.

I am still mystified as to why there are two, rather than just one proper screening point.

The first security check that the OP mentioned is a customs check (it's written albeit tiny at the ceiling where the security checkpoint is located). I have no idea what the purpose of that checkpoint for other than spending another 5 minutes in line.

The second one at the gate (assuming you are on an international flight) is the "real" security check - liquids, laptops etc.

Lots of airports have multiple security checks. For example, Jakarta has their preliminary security check at the entrance to the airport, before the check-in desks. As at KLIA, the thorough security check is at the gates.

This approach means that not all flights receive the same security checks. On domestic flights within Malaysia, there are no restrictions (AFAIK) on liquids. (I'll avoid off-topic commentary here and simply say that this is perfectly acceptable to me and to most of the world.) On international flights, there are usually limits on liquids and other items, but because security is performed at the gate, this can vary based on the destination.

I went through this earlier this year and felt the same way till I got to the gate. But, honestly, they were not all very particular about things like water, etc. It seems that only airports with direct flights to the US are strict about that.