Jakarta (Antaranews Bali) - The Ministry of Transportation will work with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to evaluate the lifestyle of pilots, regarding the issues of drug consumption.
Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya, after reviewing the Port of Benoa in Bali, on Friday, stated that the cooperation will be conducted after the holiday season of Christmas and New Year 2018.
"After the holidays, I will work with BNN to evaluate the lifestyle of pilots. BNN knows it better as it had earlier stressed on the lifestyle of pilots," Karya noted.
He explained that being a pilot was a noble profession, which has a great responsibility to the passengers. Therefore, they should always remain introspective and practice a healthy lifestyle.
The pilots will undergo a physical examination, including examination of nails and hair, to identify any history of drug consumption.
"Such an examination of the nails and hair would help identify a person with a history of using drugs, even if he may not be taking drugs at the moment; therefore, it can be given as a warning," he remarked.
However, he stated that not all pilots have an unhealthy lifestyle. This cooperation is an effort to prevent the recurrence of incidents involving air crew being caught taking drugs and liquor.
Early this month, a Lion Air JT 92 pilot, with initials MS (48), was caught sucking crystal meth. The pilot, who hid the drug in his wallet brought from Tangerang, was later arrested by Kupang police. (WDY)