MAG orders mandatory pilot drug screening after Jakarta case

 

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has ordered mandatory drug screening for all Malaysia Airlines pilots following the recent detention of one of its pilots in Jakarta over alleged drug smuggling.

In a statement today, MAG said the screening has begun and will cover all 1,260 flying personnel, with the first phase expected to be completed by Aug 15.

Pilots who fail to complete the screening by the deadline will be barred from operating flights until they are cleared under MAG’s procedures and regulatory requirements, it said.

MAG will also make drug screening mandatory for all active pilots, complementing its existing random testing programme. The enhanced regime will later be extended to active cabin crew.

MAG president and group CEO Nasaruddin A Bakar said operational safety and crew fitness for duty were non-negotiable.

“We take any breach of our safety standards seriously and have acted swiftly to enhance mandatory drug screening across our active pilots.

“While this isolated incident does not reflect the professionalism of the overwhelming majority of our employees, we will continue strengthening our safeguards to maintain the confidence of our passengers and stakeholders,” he added.

The measures follow the July 29 detention of a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, where Indonesian authorities allegedly found more than 70,000 ecstasy pills and 4g of methamphetamine worth RM14 million concealed in his luggage.

Authorities also alleged that the pilot had been under the influence of drugs while carrying about 170 passengers after his urine tested positive for MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

Border Control and Protection Agency director-general Shuhaily Zain said on Monday that the pilot had passed all security screenings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport before boarding the Jakarta-bound flight.

Suspect was not operating flight

MAG clarified today that the man was a second officer travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not operating the aircraft.

He had also been off duty for two days before the incident, while the flight was operated by two qualified pilots, it said.

“The actions of the individual are completely unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of our personnel,” MAG added.

The group said it would continue working with aviation, enforcement, and regulatory authorities to implement recommendations, strengthen preventive measures, and ensure compliance with applicable requirements across its operations and the wider aviation ecosystem. - Mkini