Malaysia Aviation Group rolls out stricter drug testing after pilot detained 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Reuters) – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) said on Friday it has ordered mandatory drug testing and will conduct stricter screening for all pilots across its airlines, following the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines pilot for alleged trafficking in Indonesia last month. 

The unidentified pilot, 39, was detained on July 28 after authorities found 26 kilograms of the mind-altering drug MDMA in his luggage upon his arrival in Jakarta from Kuala Lumpur. Urine tests also showed the Malaysian Airlines pilot had been under the influence of cocaine ‌and ⁠methamphetamines, the customs office said. 

• In a statement on Friday, MAG said it has commenced the first phase of mandatory drug screening, beginning with 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots, with testing 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.

• The mandatory screening will complement its existing random testing programme and will be extended to all active pilots and cabin crew, the company said.

• In addition to Malaysia Airlines, MAG also operates short-haul carrier Firefly, and Haj pilgrimage airline Amal.

• MAG said the pilot detained in Indonesia was an off-duty second officer travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not the pilot flying the aircraft.

• It added that it viewed the pilot’s actions as “completely unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of its personnel”.

• Indonesia has strict drug laws and in 2015 executed two Australians in the Bali Nine drug ⁠ring ​for attempting to smuggle heroin out ​of the resort island of Bali.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by David Stanway)