The Malaysian prime minister condemned the new security
checks on Muslim and Arab visitors introduced at US airports
in October 2002.

Mahathir Mohamad labelled the new immigration rules as
“anti-Muslim” and said America's stance was
unfortunate. Passengers arriving in the US from Muslim and
Middle East countries are now photographed and fingerprinted
by the immigration authorities at all ports of entry.

In particular, nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and
Sudan will be heavily scrutinized. Visitors from other
countries, including Malaysia, who are thought to be a
possible security risk, will also undergo the tougher
immigration checks.

The authorities will compare pictures and fingerprints with
criminal and terrorist data held by the US government. There
could be a personal element here: Mr Mahathir made his attack
on the system after his deputy, Ahmad Abdullah Badawi,
claimed he was forced to remove his belt and shoes during a
security check at Los Angeles International Airport as he
arrived for a United Nations meeting.