Pilot Arrested for Drug Smuggling: Malaysia Airlines Gives Full Cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines views seriously the allegation of drug smuggling involving its pilot who was arrested by authorities in Indonesia last Tuesday.

In a statement, the airline said it is inappropriate for it to comment further on the matter as investigations are being conducted by the Indonesian authorities.

Malaysia Airlines will give full cooperation to the relevant authorities, in line with all applicable laws and regulations.

“Malaysia Airlines wishes to emphasise that the company will not compromise on any form of misconduct.

“At the same time, we are conducting an internal review regarding this matter,” it said.

Malaysia Airlines also said that the safety, security and integrity of its operations remain the company’s priority.

Media reported today that a Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested after being suspected of attempting to smuggle 25 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs into Indonesia.

The suspect, aged 39, was arrested at the entrance of Terminal 3, Soekarno Hatta Airport, last Tuesday, after the Customs and Excise Department found 15 large packages containing 70,114 ecstasy capsules and methamphetamine.

Director of Narcotics Crime Prevention of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), Brigadier General Eko Hadi Sontoso, was reported as saying that the suspect’s act of carrying drugs was detected after officers from the Customs and Excise Department spotted suspicious objects during an X-ray scan of the suspect’s luggage.

“Based on preliminary investigations, the suspect is believed to have received a payment of RM50,000 to bring the drugs from Kuala Lumpur to Indonesia, via Jakarta.

“The drug supply was sent by an individual in Malaysia before being collected by another individual at the suspect’s hotel in Jakarta,” said a statement quoting Kompas.com.

Berita Harian