KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has ordered mandatory drug screening for all pilots across its airlines following the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines pilot in Indonesia last month on suspicion of drug trafficking.
In a statement today, MAG said it had begun the first phase of compulsory drug testing involving 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots, with screening expected to be completed by August 15.
"Pilots who do not complete the screening by the stipulated date will not operate flights until they have been cleared in accordance with MAG's procedures and regulatory requirements," it said.
MAG said the mandatory screening would complement its existing random drug testing programme and would later be extended to all active pilots and cabin crew across the group.
Besides Malaysia Airlines, MAG also operates Firefly and Amal, which serves Haj pilgrims.
The move follows the arrest of an unidentified 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot on July 28 after Indonesian authorities allegedly found 26 kilogrammes of MDMA in his luggage upon his arrival in Jakarta from Kuala Lumpur.
Indonesia's customs office also said urine tests showed the pilot had cocaine and methamphetamines in his system.
MAG clarified that the detained employee was an off-duty second officer travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not operating the aircraft.
The airline group described the pilot's alleged actions as "completely unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of its personnel".
Indonesia has some of the world's toughest drug laws. In 2015, the country executed two Australians from the Bali Nine drug syndicate for attempting to smuggle heroin out of the resort island of Bali.
