Indonesian police: Malaysian pilot held until Aug 18 in Jakarta drug probe

Two Malaysians arrested in separate drug trafficking cases in Indonesia remain in custody as Malaysian and Indonesian authorities widen investigations into possible links to a cross-border syndicate.

The Malaysian pilot arrested in Jakarta has been remanded for 20 days, from July 30 to Aug 18, while a 22-year-old detained at Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport is being held pending a possible extension of his detention.

Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) said the pilot’s detention could be extended if needed for further investigations before the case is handed over to the prosecutor’s office.

In a statement to Malaysiakini, Polri spokesperson Jhonny Edison Isir said the suspect remained in good health and was being held at the Bareskrim Polri detention centre.

“During questioning as a suspect, he was accompanied by a lawyer provided by investigators as he had not appointed a lawyer,” said Jhonny.

On Monday, Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) director-general Shuhaily Zain confirmed that Indonesian airport authorities detained the Malaysian pilot for possession of over 70,000 ecstasy pills and 2.7g of methamphetamine.

Shuhaily also said the suspect had passed all security screenings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) before boarding the Jakarta-bound plane with 170 passengers.

Jhonny, meanwhile, confirmed that a joint investigation would be conducted with the Royal Malaysia Police.

“We are still awaiting the arrival of the Malaysian police,” he said.

On the next steps in the case, Jhonny said investigators would continue developing the investigation following the suspect’s formal designation and detention.

He added that notifications would be sent to the suspect’s family and the Malaysian embassy.

Surabaya suspect also in custody

Also in custody is the 22-year-old Malaysian arrested at Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport on July 29 with 990g of methamphetamine and 1,089 ecstasy pills strapped to his body.

The airport falls under the Sidoarjo city police’s jurisdiction, whose narcotics chief Dwi Gastimur Wanti confirmed the suspect’s detention.

“For now, the law (in Indonesia) allows for a maximum six-day detention at the city police lock-up.

“Following which we can apply to the police headquarters (in Jakarta) for an extension of up to 40 days, where the suspect will be transferred to the custody of the district police,” he told Malaysiakini yesterday.

Dwi added that the suspect’s family is allowed to appoint their own lawyer, failing which one will be assigned by the local authorities.

“The case is also being investigated in Malaysia. In its development, we hope to identify the name of the (drug) supplier,” he said.

Preliminary investigations reportedly found that the suspect had agreed to act as a drug courier because of financial problems and debt.

Probe into cross-border syndicate

Yesterday, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Hussein Omar Khan confirmed ongoing joint investigations into both the Jakarta and Surabaya arrests, with authorities looking into possible links to a larger cross-border drug trafficking syndicate.

The two cases have also put the spotlight on drug smuggling through airports, particularly after authorities confirmed that the pilot had cleared security screening at KLIA before departing for Jakarta.

Under Article 113(2) of Indonesia’s Law No 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, both Malaysians face either the death penalty, life imprisonment, or between five and 20 years in prison.

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