Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday called on aircraft manufacturers to design "terrorist-proof" planes to prevent hijackings following the attacks in the US.
Mahathir said aircraft makers were too preoccupied with making money and focused only on making fire-proof planes.
"Now we want a terrorist-proof airplane... there are certain things that can be done instead of them just thinking and making airplanes for selling only," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.
"I have a few ideas but I won't tell."
The premier said Malaysian Airlines was considering air marshals and had taken other precautionary measures in the aftermath of the September 11 strikes in the US which left more than 6,000 people dead or missing.
"We have to study whether we can use air marshals or not but unfortunately, the people who build the airplanes do not seem to study the problem of terrorists," he said.
"At the moment, we don't see a threat for Malaysian Airlines but we must be cautious."
The global airline industry has been among the hardest hit by the US disaster, with tens of thousands of people losing their jobs, profits falling and fleets and routes to be pared.
Malaysia Airlines on Friday suspended its twice-weekly flights to Pakistan, joining Cathay Pacific, two Chinese carriers, Singapore Airlines and Gulf Air who all cancelled services earlier this week.
The ruling Taliban militia in Afghanistan is believed to be sheltering Osama bin Laden, whom the US blames for the kamikaze attacks in New York and Washington -- KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)
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