THE National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) will shortly initiate mandatory periodic urine tests and unannounced spot checks on pilots and cabin crew employed by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
AADK Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh confirmed that formal cooperation between the regulatory agency and the airline group is currently being finalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
He noted that the proposed drug screening protocol encompasses both flight deck personnel and cabin crew to ensure complete operational safety across the aviation industry.
“Among the proposals are periodic urine tests and spot checks. We will submit that proposal. Discussions to finalize the MoU are ongoing, and the target is for it to be signed between AADK and MAG within this month,” he said in a statement to Utusan Malaysia.
Ruslin highlighted that establishing a formal framework is essential to maintaining a structured, drug-free working environment in commercial aviation, noting that AADK had previously conducted two targeted screening exercises for MAG pilots last year.
“My true desire is for the aviation sector to be completely drug-free. It should not be limited to government offices; all flights must be drug-free because public safety is at stake. We have submitted our proposal, so we are awaiting the details. In my view, this is a positive step, and MAG has also given positive feedback on collaborating with AADK,” he explained.
The regulatory push follows the arrest of a Malaysian second officer in Indonesia in late July, which prompted Malaysia Airport Protection and Border Agency (AKPS) Director-General Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to coordinate heightened screening operations with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2.
In response to the incident, MAG confirmed that all active Malaysia Airlines pilots have been cleared of illicit substance use following mandatory screening procedures.
Furthermore, MAG reported that all 2,840 national carrier cabin crew members are undergoing drug testing, alongside 158 pilots and 163 cabin crew from subsidiary airline Firefly. Over half of the personnel have completed testing to date, with all results returning negative. - October 1, 2026
