Tiong cadang wajib kru kabin lapor diri awal sebelum bertugas

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tiong King Sing, is proposing that airline staff and cabin crew report to their stations earlier for a screening before taking their flights, following a drug-related incident involving a Malaysian pilot. This move aims to address concerns about potential weaknesses in the overall aviation system. The ministry emphasizes that this is not just a matter concerning a single individual, as it raises questions about the possible vulnerabilities within the broader aviation system.

Malaysia Aviation Group has implemented a drug testing program for all 1,260 Malaysian Airlines pilots, requiring them to undergo a post-flight drug screening. The company clarified that the pilot in question, who tested positive for drugs, was not part of the crew managing the flight on the specific day in question. Instead, he was seated in the cockpit as an additional observer. However, Tiong emphasized that the critical issue is the pilot's impairment, and the current testing measures are deemed insufficient.

The primary concern is whether the existing system can identify risks before an incident occurs. Tiong also highlighted that aviation safety involves the lives of passengers and has implications for international travelers' confidence in the country's aviation industry. The government previously granted two weeks for the Interior and Transport Ministries to prepare a comprehensive plan to strengthen safety measures at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after the pilot was accused of successfully evading bag inspections with 25kg of drugs.