Malaysia Airlines cooperating with relevant authorities over pilot caught smuggling drugs in Jakarta case


Indonesian Customs officials display the uniform of a Malaysian pilot and drugs he smuggled as evidence during a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, near Jakarta, on July 31, 2026. A 39-year-old pilot, identified only by his initials MSO, was arrested shortly after arriving from Kuala Lumpur for allegedly carrying over 70,000 ecstasy tablets and meth in his suitcase. Police confirmed the pilot also tested positive for drugs while operating the passenger plane. (Photo by Ramu / AFP)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines will be cooperating with relevant authorities following reports that one of its pilots was arrested in Jakarta for allegedly smuggling 26kg of MDMA into Jakarta while on the job and under the influence of drugs.

According to Reuters, the airline declined to comment on the case directly as the matter was under investigation. However, it said that it does not tolerate any form of misconduct and was currently conducting an internal review into the matter.

Earlier, Indonesia arrested a Malaysian pilot who allegedly smuggled 26kg of the mind-altering drug MDMA into the capital Jakarta while on the job and under the influence of drugs, the customs office said on Friday (July 31).
Here are some details according to Reuters:

* The pilot, 39, was arrested on Wednesday at Jakarta's main airport.

* The pilot, who was identified by the initials MS, had just flown a Malaysian Airlines plane from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, said customs officer Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang in a press conference on Friday.

* Named a criminal suspect, the pilot had brought MDMA in a suitcase to Jakarta at the request of an unidentified person with the promise of a RM50,000 reward, the customs office said.

* The pilot had been under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine after a urine test, Hengky said, adding Indonesia and Malaysian authorities are in communication.

* Hengky said the pilot was a courier.

* 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.

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