A 55-year-old Chinese national was detained at Penang International Airport after allegedly attempting to steal a passenger’s wallet during a flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Penang on 17 September.
Southwest district police chief ACP Anuwal Ab Wahab said the man was arrested following a report from a 36-year-old Indonesian man who witnessed the suspect removing his bag from the overhead compartment, opening it and taking his wallet, The Sun reported.
The Indonesian passenger managed to record the incident on his phone before alerting cabin crew. The suspect was detained upon arrival at the airport to assist in the investigation.
All of the victim’s belongings were recovered and no financial loss was reported, NST reported, citing a police statement.
The case is classified under Section 379 and Section 511 of the Penal Code for attempted theft. Under Section 379, a person found guilty of theft faces a maximum seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. Section 511 covers attempts to commit offences punishable under the Penal Code, carrying a maximum penalty of half the longest term prescribed for the completed offence.
Further investigations are underway, with police examining whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a wider group targeting passengers on regional flights into Penang.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of in-flight theft attempts targeting passengers arriving at Malaysian airports. In June, two Chinese nationals aged 36 and 39 were remanded for four days over an alleged theft attempt on a flight from Dili, Timor-Leste, to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Police suspected the pair of being linked to a syndicate that targets sleeping passengers during flights, according to NST.
In December 2024, two Chinese businessmen were fined between RM2,000 and RM3,700 after pleading guilty to stealing cash from fellow passengers on flights at Penang International Airport. And in January 2025, a 54-year-old Chinese national was arrested for allegedly attempting to steal a credit card from an Australian tourist on a Kuala Lumpur-Penang flight.
Passengers are advised to store valuables in secure compartments and remain vigilant during flights, particularly on routes that have seen repeated theft incidents. Airlines have also been urged to strengthen cabin monitoring on routes with a history of theft reports.
