Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has ordered Malaysian authorities to tighten security across all airports and national borders. The order was issued after Malaysian pilot Mohd Saufi bin Othman was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta Airport with 26 kilograms of narcotics in the form of ecstasy last week.
Sultan Ibrahim emphasised that this measure is necessary to reduce drug smuggling and cross-border criminal activity that threatens public safety. According to New Straits Times, the king stated that security at national entry points must be strengthened through more effective enforcement, continuous monitoring, and cooperation between ministries and relevant agencies.
Malaysia Aviation Group has made mandatory drug testing compulsory for 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots, with completion targeted for 15 August. The Indonesian government has also announced measures to tighten aviation security, including deploying police personnel at airports.
Head of Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department for Narcotics Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that cases of drug seizures related to international airports have increased sharply. Drugs weighing 1,353.41 kilograms worth RM108.35 million have been seized from January to July, compared to 235.36 kilograms in the same period last year, with arrests increasing from 57 people to 121 people.
Malaysian police investigation and intelligence teams will be in Jakarta from 11 to 15 August to gather further information about the syndicate networks suspected of involvement. The teams will help identify sources of drug supply, smuggling methods, and possible links between the suspects and syndicates in Indonesia.
