Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) has convened a special meeting with aviation-related agencies to review airport security screening procedures following the arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Indonesia over an alleged drug smuggling attempt.
Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Director-General Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the meeting, chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general, brought together representatives from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of Bukit Aman, AKPS, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and other relevant agencies.
He said the discussion focused on strengthening existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), improving coordination among aviation security agencies and identifying areas where current screening processes could be enhanced.
Mohd Shuhaily spoke to reporters after inspecting baggage screening operations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Monday.
Last Friday, Indonesian authorities arrested a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after he was allegedly caught attempting to smuggle 25 kilograms of drugs into the country.
According to the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), officers discovered 15 packages containing 70,114 MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine capsules, with an estimated street value of around RM45 million based on Indonesian market prices.
Mohd Shuhaily said Malaysian authorities are still awaiting the outcome of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) investigation to determine how the suspect managed to pass security screening before departing Malaysia.
“People attempting to smuggle prohibited items use various methods and concealment techniques. It is possible the suspect hid the substances in a way that made them difficult to detect,” he said.
He added that drug traffickers sometimes wrap or shield illegal substances using materials that may reduce the effectiveness of airport scanning equipment.
AKPS views the incident seriously as it could affect the integrity of Malaysia’s border security system and raise questions about the effectiveness of baggage screening procedures at KLIA.
Mohd Shuhaily said authorities are also examining allegations that weaknesses or gaps in the screening process may have allowed the prohibited items to leave the country undetected.
He stressed that a thorough investigation is necessary to determine whether the incident resulted from procedural weaknesses, non-compliance with SOPs, or other contributing factors.
