Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin also asked the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to launch an investigation into the matter to see whether there was bribery involved in allowing the flight.

He dubbed the incident of Suasa Airline flying without an Air Service Permit (ASP) from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Langkawi last Friday as “shocking and worrying”.

“When the airline flew its aircraft without a permit, it showed that the country’s air space was compromised. It shows there is a huge loophole in airport security.

“One must understand that security at airports and the country is not merely apprehending drug runners and terrorists. It includes aviation safety and smooth operation of flights, etc,” he said in a statement today.

The PKR director of strategy said an aircraft cannot be compared to an unlicensed car on the road. Hence, there was no way the flight could have been overlooked, he said.

“Prior to (an airline’s) service commencement and inaugural flight, they would surely need to undergo the scrutiny and approval of the authorities.

“The Suasa Airline incident undermines the nation’s confidence about our national security.”