PUTRAJAYA: The deployment of more police personnel at airports and a review of the screening protocols for pilots of the Malaysia Airlines Group are measures being considered in the wake of drug smuggling through the air route, says government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil (pic).
This move follows the arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Jakarta for alleged drug trafficking on July 28, with the pilot found with drugs after flying in from the KL International Airport.
Indonesian authorities arrested the pilot after discovering 15 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine in his luggage.
Fahmi, who is Communications Minister, said Malaysian authorities need time to examine the full report before deciding on further action.
“We also have to identify if there are others involved and we need to ensure all loopholes are closed immediately,” he said at the weekly post-Cabinet press conference here yesterday.
Separately, Fahmi said the Human Resources Ministry has been instructed to immediately approve about 15,000 foreign worker applications to address labour shortages in critical sectors.
“The Prime Minister has requested this so that we can meet the labour needs of the relevant sectors and directly support economic activities in our country,” he added.
This comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive last month for ministries and government agencies to resolve foreign worker applications within one month, particularly for sectors facing acute labour shortages such as restaurants.
“We cannot fully reopen the intake simply to fill vacancies in the country with more foreign workers.
“But I agree there is an urgent need to fill vacancies in certain sectors, including restaurants, so this is to be resolved as a priority,” said Anwar during an event in Butterworth on July 24.
On the proposed repatriation of 5,000 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, Fahmi said the matter is still being reviewed by Wisma Putra and the Home Ministry.
“These 5,000 refugees will first be identified. Malaysia, as a responsible nation, will not proceed with repatriation if it means they would face persecution or threats to their lives,” he said, adding that several factors must be examined in discussions with the Myanmar government before any decision is made.
“What the Prime Minister has conveyed is that Myanmar is prepared to accept the 5,000 refugees, but Malaysia will carefully review the criteria. If deemed appropriate, the repatriation will be carried out,” he added.
On July 29, Anwar said Myanmar has agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya currently in Malaysia following negotiations between the two countries, adding that this was an outcome of Malaysia’s strong diplomatic ties with the military-led nation.
He also noted that Myanmar agreed to receive 300,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh as part of the repatriation effort.
Meanwhile, Fahmi also mentioned that PKR is expected to conduct a post-mortem on its performance in the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan state elections during the party’s annual congress this month.
He said delegates from both states are expected to raise issues encountered during the polls and propose improvements to strengthen the party’s machinery, candidate preparation and internal processes.
