THE Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) is investigating security compliance following the arrest of a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Indonesian authorities apprehended the pilot after discovering 25kg of ecstasy and methamphetamine, valued at RM45 mil, concealed in his luggage.
The pilot, who tested positive for methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine, admitted this was his third smuggling attempt and that he was promised RM50,000 for the delivery.
CAAM Chief Executive Officer Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud stressed that all aircrew and baggage must undergo mandatory security screening, including X-rays, before entering restricted areas, with no exemptions.
“The screening process is conducted by airport operators and security personnel in accordance with the Civil Aviation Security Regulations 2019 and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme before crew members are allowed access to the airside or other restricted areas,” he said.
CAAM is now gathering facts alongside airport operators to determine whether screening protocols were properly followed prior to departure from Malaysia.
Norazman added that strict regulations prohibit crew from operating under the influence, and CAAM will take necessary regulatory action if any security non-compliance is identified.
“Like all other persons entering the Security Restricted Area, aircrew are required to undergo security screening before being granted access. There are no blanket exemptions from these screening requirements,” he told the New Straits Times.
Responding to questions on how such a large quantity of drugs could have gone undetected, CAAM said the matter remained under investigation and that it was gathering all relevant facts.
Earlier last week, Indonesian authorities announced the arrest of a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after allegedly discovering 25kg of ecstasy and methamphetamine concealed in his luggage.
The drugs, comprising more than 70,000 capsules, were estimated to be worth RM45 mil in the Indonesian market.
A urine test on the 39-year-old pilot also revealed traces of methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. The pilot now risks facing a firing squad since Indonesia imposes death sentences in drug trafficking cases.
The Jakarta Post says there are dozens of foreign traffickers on death row in Indonesia.
Indonesia last carried out the death sentence for drug offences in 2016, when one Indonesian and three Nigerians were executed by firing squad.
The Indonesian paper says two British men were sentenced in March to nine and 11 years in prison, respectively, after they were found guilty of smuggling cocaine onto the tourist island of Bali.
In June, the Bali police arrested two Russian nationals for attempting to smuggle nearly eight kilograms of hashish to the resort island.—Aug 2, 2026
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