Flight crew screening system needs to be reviewed, passenger confidence restored - Tiong

Malaysian tourism minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has called for a thorough review of the flight crew screening system and stricter checks on pilots and cabin crew before they start work. This comes after a Malaysian pilot was detained at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs in his luggage. The incident has raised concerns about passenger safety and the confidence of international tourists in Malaysia's aviation system.

The minister emphasized the need for integrated management, safety controls, and risk prevention measures between regulatory authorities and the police. He also proposed increasing the frequency of screenings for staff, who would need to report up to two hours before their shift and only start work after passing the prescribed screening. Relevant professionals would determine the appropriate type and scope of testing.

Tiong stressed the importance of proactive and effective prevention methods to prevent similar incidents from recurring. All parties must collaborate to close any loopholes, restore confidence in the aviation sector, and protect Malaysia's image. He urged aviation regulatory authorities and related agencies to review internal management, safety controls, and risk prevention measures, including equipment, procedures, and coordination between agencies.

Passengers have questioned why Malaysia Airlines is emphasizing that the suspect was not operating the flight instead of apologizing and addressing the issue. Tiong stressed that security factors should be taken seriously not only after an incident but also as part of daily procedures and monitoring. He warned that agencies and companies should not wait for undesirable incidents to occur before taking action.