PUTRAJAYA, Aug. 5 — Malaysia’s Cabinet has ordered immediate enhancements to airport security, including deploying officers from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to the Aviation Security (AVSEC) team, following the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines co-pilot in Jakarta over alleged drug smuggling.

Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was among several urgent measures presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Fahmi explained that AVSEC is currently staffed by auxiliary police, and the government has decided that PDRM personnel should now be assigned to strengthen aviation security operations at airports.

In addition, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has been instructed to review its background screening and health assessment protocols for pilots and co-pilots to ensure similar incidents do not recur.

The Cabinet also directed the Royal Malaysia Police and the Home Ministry to identify and address any weaknesses or security loopholes that could have been exploited, with improvements to be implemented as quickly as possible.

Responding to calls for a special task force to tackle drug-related offences following the incident, Fahmi said the Cabinet has so far only received a preliminary oral briefing from Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said the government would wait for a full report on the ongoing investigation by Indonesian authorities before deciding on any additional measures.

“We will carefully consider further actions after receiving the complete report. We need to determine whether others may have been involved. Anyone found responsible must be brought to justice, and comprehensive measures will be taken to ensure all security gaps are closed immediately,” Fahmi said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan revealed that police had identified a uniformed employee stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as part of investigations into how the alleged drugs carried by the Malaysia Airlines co-pilot managed to pass through airport security screening.

The co-pilot was detained in Jakarta last week by Indonesian authorities on suspicion of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. Investigations are ongoing in both Malaysia and Indonesia.