August 1, 2026 | 05:15 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Malaysia Airlines has responded to the arrest of a man identified as MSBO, a Malaysian citizen suspected of being one of its pilots, over an alleged drug smuggling case at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia.
The airline said it takes allegations involving drug-related violations among its personnel seriously and is closely monitoring the legal process being handled by Indonesian authorities.
"Malaysia Airlines takes drug-related violation accusations seriously," the airline said in an email response to Tempo on Friday, July 31, 2026.
However, the airline declined to comment further on the details of the case or the suspect’s employment status, saying the investigation was still ongoing.
"Given that this issue is still under investigation by the Indonesian authorities, it is not appropriate for the airline to provide further comments at this stage," the statement said.
Malaysia Airlines said it would cooperate fully with the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) and other relevant authorities in accordance with applicable laws.
The airline also confirmed that it had launched an internal review following the incident.
"Malaysia Airlines reaffirms that we do not tolerate any form of violation and are currently conducting an internal review regarding this matter. Our main priorities remain safety, security, and operational integrity," the company said.
Malaysian Government Respects Indonesia’s Legal Process
Malaysia’s government has also acknowledged the arrest and said it respects Indonesia’s legal proceedings against the Malaysian citizen.
The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta said it had received information regarding the detention of a Malaysian national by the Drug Crime Directorate of Bareskrim Polri.
"The embassy respects Indonesia’s legal process and is engaging with Indonesian authorities," the embassy said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
The embassy added that it was seeking to provide consular assistance to the detained Malaysian citizen.
Suspect Allegedly Carried 70,114 Ecstasy Pills
Previously, Bareskrim Polri’s Drug Crime Directorate, together with customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, arrested MSBO at the International Arrival area of Terminal 3 on Tuesday night, July 28, 2026.
The arrest was made after customs officers became suspicious of a suitcase belonging to the suspect.
A search uncovered 70,114 ecstasy pills weighing 25.19 kilograms and a package containing crystal methamphetamine.
Authorities also seized the suspect’s passport, identification card, Malaysian driving license, an iPhone 17e, and a Malaysia Airlines pilot uniform.
Bareskrim Polri Drug Crime Director Brig. Gen. Eko Hadi Santoso said initial investigations showed that MSBO allegedly received 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (around Rp220 million) to transport the illegal drugs to Jakarta.
The suspect’s urine test also showed positive results for methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine, according to authorities.
Suspect Was Flying Malaysia Airlines Route Before Arrest
Authorities said MSBO had previously operated a Malaysia Airlines flight before being arrested.
He was reportedly the pilot of Malaysia Airlines flight MH727 from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, which carried at least 170 passengers before his detention.
Soekarno-Hatta Customs Chief Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang said the suspect was found to have tested positive for drugs at the time of arrest.
The case has now entered the investigation stage, and MSBO is being detained at the Bareskrim Polri detention center.
The suspect faces charges under Articles 113(2), 114(2), and 132(1) of Indonesia’s Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics.
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