Malaysian authorities are overhauling airport screening for flight crew after a pilot allegedly smuggled drugs past KLIA scanners into Indonesia.
SEPANG: All security screening procedures for pilots and cabin crew at airports nationwide will be enhanced, said Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
He said a meeting chaired today by Transport Ministry (MOT) secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan, involving AKPS, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is reviewing measures to strengthen existing airport security procedures.
Mohd Shuhaily said AKPS and all relevant agencies are treating seriously the recent incident involving a Malaysian pilot who was arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs.
“Representatives from MAG also attended the meeting, and they are taking the matter very, very seriously. All existing procedures will be enhanced in the near future.
“We have also been informed that all pilots and crew members, or staff, will undergo more comprehensive screening,” he said at a press conference here today.
On July 31, the media reported that a Malaysian pilot was arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs, including 25 kilogrammes of ecstasy worth about Rp60 billion (Rp1 million = RM225.20), into the country.
Indonesia’s Director-General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budi Utama, said the 39-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on July 29 after operating an international passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur. The drugs were allegedly found concealed in his luggage.
Elaborating further, Mohd Shuhaily said the pilot had cleared all security screening procedures at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) before departing on July 28.
“During the routine screening using scanners, neither the items nor the luggage carried by the suspect raised any suspicious images.
“As such, he passed the standard security screening conducted at KLIA. We are still awaiting feedback from PDRM so that we can review how he was able to pass the screening,” he said.
He said individuals attempting to smuggle prohibited items out of the country usually employ specific methods to evade detection by scanners or other security screening procedures.
“Those attempting to smuggle prohibited items may conceal them or wrap them in a way that prevents the scanners from detecting them.
“The modus operandi used to wrap or conceal the methamphetamine is something we are still awaiting details on from PDRM. I understand that PDRM is in the process of sending officers to work with Indonesia’s narcotics authorities,” he said.
Commenting on allegations of weaknesses in the screening process for flight crew, Mohd Shuhaily stressed that pilots and cabin crew are subject to the same security screening procedures as other passengers.
He also stressed that AKPS would not compromise if police investigations uncovered any element of misconduct involving its officers.
“I will take my lead from PDRM on the internal investigation. If PDRM finds any foul play within my agency, I think everyone is well aware of the way I work. No stone will be left unturned,” he said.
Mohd Shuhaily also urged the public to allow enforcement personnel the time and space to carry out more thorough security checks at all the country’s entry points.
“This is where we all need to exercise a little patience whenever we enter or leave the country. There are officers entrusted with ensuring that every journey is safe.
“In ensuring the safety of those journeys, please allow the enforcement authorities the time they need to carry out their duties,” he said.
