CAAM To Probe Circumstances Of Malaysian Pilot's Detention In Indonesia

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) is investigating the reported detention of a Malaysian pilot in Indonesia from a regulatory perspective, including whether there were any lapses before the individual departed from Malaysia.

CAAM said it is currently gathering the relevant facts regarding the reported incident involving the Malaysian pilot.

“The matter will be investigated from a regulatory perspective, including the airline’s compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and the airport operator’s security processes, to determine whether there were any lapses prior to the individual’s departure from Malaysia,” it told Bernama today.

As an immediate measure, CAAM said it will strengthen its oversight of existing regulatory requirements relating to baggage screening and security procedures, including those applicable to aircrew.

The civil aviation regulator’s response follows reports that the 39-year-old Malaysian pilot was arrested on July 29 after allegedly attempting to smuggle about 25 kilogrammes of ecstasy, valued at around 60 billion rupiah (1 million rupiah = RM225.20).

Indonesian authorities said the drugs, comprising about 70,114 ecstasy pills and four grammes gross of methamphetamine, were allegedly concealed in the suspect’s luggage and were discovered during an inspection at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

-- BERNAMA