FOREIGNERS make up the majority of those detained for attempting to smuggle cannabis flowers out of Malaysia, with such cases being detected almost daily at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) director Datuk Sri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said targeted screening had been stepped up at both KLIA terminals following the arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Indonesia.
The pilot was detained at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in July over the alleged smuggling of more than 70,000 ecstasy pills weighing about 25kg.
Indonesian authorities also seized 2.74g of methamphetamine and 0.0825g of methamphetamine residue.
Shuhaily said MCBA was now seeing attempts to take cannabis flowers out of Malaysia regularly.
“Almost every day, or at least every week, we detain those attempting to smuggle cannabis flowers out of the country.
“Most are foreigners, not Malaysians,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the MCBA Basic Officer Training Course Series 1/2026 at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) today.
He said MCBA was coordinating targeted screening with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) at KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
The agency has also been given three key responsibilities at international airports under 17 government initiatives aimed at strengthening border security.
These involve targeted screening, intelligence operations and K9 operations.
“We are putting all these measures in place, and the public will see them being implemented at airports,” he said.
Shuhaily said MCBA had also foiled seizures and government revenue leakages worth more than RM265 million so far this year, compared with RM80 million recorded last year.
He said e-waste and drug smuggling were among the main contributors to the figure.
The increase, he said, was due to stronger enforcement, including new initiatives and efforts to improve the work culture among MCBA personnel.
He said enforcement would continue to be strengthened at the country’s entry points to curb smuggling and prevent further revenue leakages.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Abdul Majid and Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad. – September 27, 2026
