SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — The Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) wasn’t involved in checking the baggage of a Malaysian pilot arrested in Indonesia for allegedly smuggling in drugs, instead the luggage was inspected by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) Aviation Security (AVSEC) team, said AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
He said customs officers under AKPS weren’t involved in screening the baggage with a scanner at KLIA.
“I confirm that agency officers under AKPS, which (were from) the Royal Customs Department (JKDM), weren’t involved in the screening with a scanner at KLIA.
“Checks with a baggage scanner were handled by AVSEC, and as I explained at a press conference this afternoon, findings from initial investigations revealed there were no suspicious objects found when the pilot’s baggage went through the scanner before he was allowed on the plane.
“He went through and passed all screenings,” Shuhaily said, as reported by Berita Harian.
However, Shuhaily said the investigation is ongoing under the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) to identify how 26kg of drugs were allowed through the hi-tech scanners.
He added that AKPS cannot comment further on the matter as it could compromise the police probe.
“We were informed that the authorities in Indonesia have released CCTV footage from when the pilot was arrested on the night of July 28, but the country’s laws regarding Malaysia are different,” he explained.
When asked about the possibility of counter-setting, he said this can only be determined after the police investigation is complete.
“We at AKPS have done our duty and entrusted responsibilities, and as I explained, we won’t compromise with any element of smuggling.
“Based on previous records, AKPS has taken action against officers involved in smuggling and illegal foreigner entry conspiracies,” he said.
Shuhaily asked that the public give police space to conduct their investigation.
On July 28, a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, after authorities claimed to have found 15 packets containing 70,114 ecstasy and syabu pills in his baggage.
