Minister Tiong Calls for Mandatory Pre-Duty Drug Screening for All Pilots & Cabin Crew
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Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has called for mandatory pre-duty drug screening for all pilots and cabin crew, warning against 'denial syndrome' following the Malaysia Airlines pilot drug case in Jakarta.
In a Facebook post, the Bintulu MP urged airlines, regulators and police to jointly enforce stricter screening — requiring crew to report 1.5 to 2 hours before shifts for testing.
"Agencies and companies should not wait until an unwanted incident occurs before action is taken," he said.
The case involves a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot detained at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport with 25kg of drugs — 70,114 ecstasy and methamphetamine pills worth an estimated RM45 million. The pilot tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine.
Tiong also criticised Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) for downplaying the incident by emphasising the pilot did not operate the aircraft, instead of issuing a public apology.
MAG has since mandated drug screening for all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots, with the first phase due by Aug 15.
Location: Kuala Lumpur / Jakarta (involves Sarawak MP Tiong King Sing)
Details: RM45M drug seizure; pilot tested positive for 3 substances; MAG orders mandatory pilot screening
Source: DayakDailyWhat do you think? Should all crew be tested before every flight?
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