THE Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) has defended the integrity of airport screening procedures after a Malaysian pilot was arrested in Indonesia after allegedly being found with drugs, saying the individual had cleared all required checks before boarding his flight from Kuala Lumpur.
MCBA director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said preliminary checks confirmed that the pilot underwent standard screening procedures at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) before departing on July 28.
"In the required screening that was conducted as per usual with our scanner machine, there had been no suspicious images that had shown up when the bag was screened.
"Due to that, it passed through the checks. We are waiting for the response from the police so that we can study how he had passed through the screenings without being flagged," he told reporters at KLIA Terminal One on Monday.
Mohd Shuhaily said the airport screening system uses a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and human assessment, with scanners automatically assigning risk levels before security officers decide whether additional inspections are necessary.
"The system uses AI to a certain extent, but it is not like what people see on television. It still requires the operator's judgement.
"AI assists the process, but the final decision rests with the screening officer," he said.
He said the baggage did not trigger a higher-risk alert, resulting in officers clearing it in accordance with existing standard operating procedures without conducting further inspection.
However, Mohd Shuhaily acknowledged that the possibility remained that the alleged drugs had been concealed in a manner that prevented detection by the scanning system.
He said the matter was now under investigation by police, who would determine how the suspected contraband managed to pass through security checks.
"The police is in the midst of sending over an officer from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department to work with the Indonesian side.
"Rest assured all available systems have been used fully in the case. Further discussion will be conducted on how to improve upon the systems and machines in use," he said.
Mohd Shuhaily also rejected suggestions that airport screening personnel lacked capability, pointing out that MCBA had successfully intercepted numerous cases involving drugs and other prohibited items.
"For now, we can assure the public that the existing system was fully utilised in this case. We will look at whether the system or equipment can be further improved once the investigation is complete," he added.
On speculation of possible internal involvement or a "counter setting", Mohd Shuhaily said strict action would be taken if any misconduct by officers was uncovered.
"If the police see there is foul play involved from my officers then there will be no stones left unturned.
"I will not hesitate to share it with the media as well," he said. - August 3, 2026
