Malaysia Airlines Orders Drug Tests for All Pilots After Officer Arrested in Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7:  Malaysia Airlines has ordered mandatory drug screening for all 1,260 pilots after one of its Second Officers was arrested in Indonesia over an alleged attempt to smuggle drugs.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) said all pilots must complete the screening by August 15, with those failing to undergo the test grounded until cleared. The airline is also expanding its random drug testing programme into mandatory testing for all active pilots and plans to introduce similar checks for cabin crew.

MAG clarified that the arrested pilot was travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not part of the operating crew. The aircraft involved was operated safely by two qualified pilots, and the officer had been off duty for two days before the incident.

The 39-year-old pilot was detained at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after customs officials allegedly found around 25 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy) and a small amount of methamphetamine in his luggage during an X-ray inspection. Indonesian authorities said a subsequent urine test showed positive results for methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. The case remains under investigation.