By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 7: Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has called for a comprehensive review of airport security and border control measures instead of pointing fingers following the incident of a Malaysia Airlines pilot being detained in Jakarta after drugs were found on him.
In a Facebook post, he said this was discussed during a meeting with senior officials from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), including the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Division, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) district police chief.
He said that the meeting called for airport security protocols to be reviewed immediately, border inspection procedures to be tightened, and coordination among enforcement agencies to be strengthened to close existing security gaps and enhance protection at the country’s international entry points.
The Bintulu MP said the case has understandably caused widespread concern, noting that even more worrying was that the pilot tested positive for drugs.
“Airports are the country’s gateways and provide many international visitors with their first impression of Malaysia. Every security checkpoint, screening process and border control procedure reflects the standards by which our country is judged.
“When these protective measures fail to function, the consequences extend far beyond a single incident. Such failures undermine Malaysia’s credibility as a safe and trusted destination,” said Tiong, who is also Dudong assemblyman.
Tiong also called for a focus on the integrity of the system itself, saying that professionalism is not measured solely by licences, qualifications, or flying hours, but is defined by discipline, integrity, and the ability to shoulder responsibility for the safety of others.
Meanwhile, he also expressed disappointment that some parties had focused on what he described as ‘assigning political blame’ rather than calling for a comprehensive review of the weaknesses exposed by the case.
“Demands for a minister to answer every question may generate headlines, but they do nothing to strengthen airport security or prevent a similar incident from happening again,” he said.
Previously, a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot was detained at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport over the alleged smuggling of 25kg of drugs.
Indonesian authorities said they seized 70,114 ecstasy and methamphetamine pills worth an estimated RM45 million, as well as a bottle of urine believed to have been intended to falsify a drug test. The pilot later tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine.
Following the incident, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) mandated drug screening for all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots, with the first phase to be completed by Aug 15. Pilots who fail to undergo screening will not be allowed to operate flights until cleared.
The programme will also be extended to all active pilots across MAG’s airlines as well as to cabin crew.
Malaysia Airlines also clarified that the pilot was not operating the aircraft at the time of the incident. — DayakDaily
