Malaysia will immediately implement targeted, risk-based screening of high-risk flights, passengers, crew and baggage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Southeast Asia’s largest airport by land area.
The measures are part of 17 recommendations approved by the Cabinet following a joint memorandum submitted by the Home and Transport ministries on Aug. 19, The Star newspaper reported.
The ministries said in a joint statement on Aug. 20 that e-vetting and access controls would also be tightened for airline crew, ground-handling staff, vendors, contractors and other personnel requiring access to restricted security zones, Malay Mail reported.
Drug screening for aviation personnel will be strengthened through pre-employment, periodic and random checks involving pilots, cabin crew and other relevant staff.
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A traveler at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia. Photo by AFP |
Authorities will also strengthen security visibility by deploying more police at strategic locations as a deterrent, while additional General Operations Force personnel will be stationed at the airport’s Terminals 1 and 2 during each shift.
These move come after a Malaysian commercial pilot was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on July 29. Indonesian authorities found more than 70,000 ecstasy pills weighing about 25 kg in his luggage, along with 4 g of methamphetamine in his carry-on belongings.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport served 23.4 million international passengers in the first half of this year, up 7.8% from a year earlier, driven by expansion of new direct routes.
Malaysia retained its position as Southeast Asia’s most-visited country after recording 21.12 million international visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 2.5% increase from a year earlier.