Passenger not drunk, expected to be charged after MH179 scuffle, say cops

SHAH ALAM: The German passenger who caused a scuffle on board Flight MH179 en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, is expected to be charged with "imperilling" the safety of the aircraft and passengers. 

Sepang acting OCPD Supt Abdul Aziz Ali said the 54-year-old was being remanded at the Sepang police headquarters and that police had forwarded the investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) with the recommendation that the man be charged. 

The businessman was travelling alone and departed KL International Airport (KLIA) at 11.27pm on Saturday and was supposed to arrive in Colombo at 12.18am local time. 

Contrary to previous reports, Supt Abdul Aziz clarified that the man was not drunk following a blood and urine test. 

"He (the passenger) was seated in the first class and asked for the stewardess to serve him whiskey after the flight had taken off. 

"However, because the ‘fasten seatbelt sign’ was still turned on, his request was rejected.

"That was when he got mad and got into a scuffle with one of the stewardesses," said Supt Abdul Aziz. 

Crew members and passengers had to subdue the man, prompting the pilot to make an air turn back to KLIA at about 11.30pm. 

The plane circled around the Malacca Straits for several hours to dump fuel in order to land safely. 

The flight departed again for Colombo at 10.06am on Sunday. 

The man is said to be travelling to Colombo for business.

He lives in Bali with his wife, according to Supt Abdul Aziz. 

Selangor deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said police were investigating the man under Section 70(1) of the Malaysia Civil Aviation Regulations 1996 for "imperilling the safety of an aircraft or any person on board".