Kuala lumpur: The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) has expressed its support for Malaysia Aviation Group's (MAG) decision to implement mandatory drug screening for 1,260 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) pilots. This move comes in response to the recent arrest of a MAS pilot in Indonesia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh emphasized the importance of maintaining strict security controls and extending mandatory drug screening to all active pilots and cabin crew members as part of a zero-tolerance policy towards drug abuse and trafficking. "Safety in the aviation sector cannot be compromised because this industry bears a great responsibility for the lives of thousands of passengers," Ruslin stated during the inauguration of the AADK's MADANI Foster Village (KAM) and MADANI Foster School (SAM) programmes at FELDA Tenang.
Ruslin highlighted AADK's readiness to collaborate with MAG through drug abuse detection operations, enhancement of the Drug-Free Workplace (TEKAD) programme, and providing screening and prevention training for supervisors. He also mentioned previous drug abuse detection operations conducted by AADK involving flight crew, including MAS in April 2025 and AirAsia in December 2025.
AADK will continue its partnership with the police, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), and international regulatory bodies to bolster information sharing and security controls at Malaysia's main entry points. While stressing that isolated incidents should not tarnish the image of the country's dedicated aviation workforce, Ruslin reaffirmed AADK's commitment to support both government and private sector efforts to keep Malaysia free from drug threats.
Additionally, Ruslin discussed the implementation of the KAM and SAM programmes at FELDA Tenang, illustrating the importance of focusing on both physical infrastructure and human capital development that is safe and free from drugs. The number of drug addicts and abusers in Terengganu decreased by 7.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year, although an increase in drug involvement among certain age groups remains concerning.
Ruslin called for special attention towards young people, with SAM serving as a frontline defence against drug abuse in schools and communities. He noted that Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) were the most prevalent drugs, accounting for 81.9 per cent of cases, followed by opiates at 16.9 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Ruslin urged cooperation among AADK, FELDA, educators, Parent-Teacher Associations, youth, and the local community to ensure continued development and a drug-free environment in FELDA Tenang and Besut.