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PUTRAJAYA - The cabinet has directed Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to review its pilot recruitment and health screening procedures while ordering tighter airport security following the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) co-pilot in Indonesia over an alleged drug smuggling attempt.
Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the decisions were made after the Cabinet received briefings from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Ministry of Transport on the ongoing case.
He said MAG had been instructed to reassess its background and health screening protocols for pilots and co-pilots to ensure existing safeguards remain effective in preventing similar incidents.
"MAG has been asked to review its protocols, including background screening and health screening for pilots and co-pilots, following the incident," he told a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Fahmi said the government had also agreed to deploy Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel alongside Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers at airports to strengthen security measures.
He added that KDN and PDRM had been tasked with identifying and closing any weaknesses in the country's aviation security system that could be exploited.
The directive follows the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines co-pilot by Indonesian authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta after he was allegedly caught attempting to smuggle 26kg of ecstasy pills.
Fahmi said the government is awaiting a full report from the relevant authorities before deciding whether additional measures are necessary.
"We have only received a verbal briefing from the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Home Affairs. As investigations in Indonesia are still ongoing, we need to examine the full report before considering further action beyond the measures already announced," he said.
He added that investigators are also seeking to determine whether other individuals were involved.
"We need to establish whether others were involved. Anyone connected to the case must be brought to justice, while comprehensive measures must be taken to ensure any loopholes are closed immediately," he said.
