Aerial Surveillance During ASEAN Meetings In KL

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Aerial surveillance will be an added security feature as ASEAN meetings get underway in the Malaysian capital, with the expected presence of United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry next week. Police will deploy helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in the operation as ASEAN ministers and diplomats converge on the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) for the 48th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings from Saturday until Aug 6. Internal Security and Public Order Department's Secretariat Division deputy director ACP Hapka Mohd Said said the aerial surveillance would complement other assets on the ground to ensure safety and security. "Police so far haven't received any reports of possible security threats but we will remain extra vigilant with all necessary precautionary measures," he told Bernama. Hapka said extra security would be mounted for Kerry who would be in town for meetings involving the US and ASEAN, a grouping of 10 Southeast Asian countries. The US will also take part in the 5th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting and the 22nd ASEAN Regional Forum. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Police chief Tajudin Md Isa said police would deploy a sufficient number of personnel to ensure security during the ASEAN talks in Kuala Lumpur. This would also cover movements of heads of delegation from and to the airport as well as at hotels and the venue of the meetings, PWTC. To a question, Tajudin said there was no necessity for the time being to introduce a 'no fly-zone' in skies above PWTC. "The situation thus far doesn't warrant such measure being taken," he said, adding that the level of precautionary measures would be sufficient. He further said that no roads would be closed during the ASEAN meetings. Prime Minister Najib Razak is scheduled to open the 48th AMM on Tuesday. -- BERNAMA