MH122 Diversion: What Happened
On a routine flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 were thrust into unease when a man’s behaviour forced the plane to return to Sydney. For background on criminal processes, see Jameson Law – Criminal Law.
About thirty minutes into the flight, Muhammad Arif reportedly rose from his seat and disrupted the cabin. Witnesses say he prayed aloud, then began pushing passengers and suggested he had explosives in his backpack. If you are contacted by police after an incident, read what to do if police contact you.
The pilot decided to return to Sydney in the interests of safety. Aviation security guidance is set out by Home Affairs – Aviation Security and CASA passenger information. Airport operations updates are available from Sydney Airport.
The Legal Consequences
On landing, the man was taken into custody. Allegations included making a false statement about a threat to damage an aircraft and failing to obey cabin crew instructions. For emergencies on aircraft and airport policing, see AFP Aviation.
Relevant federal laws include the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth) and the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 (Cth). Penalties for serious aircraft threats can be substantial. If you need tailored advice, speak with our Sydney criminal lawyers.
Failure to follow safety directions from crew is also an offence. CASA provides guidance on behaviour on board. For court representation, visit courtroom representation and bail applications.
Mental Health and the Criminal Process
The defence has pointed to mental health concerns. Courts may consider mental health at different stages. Learn about mental health diversion in NSW and options for sentencing advocacy. General support services include Lifeline and Beyond Blue.
Next Steps
If you are a witness or person of interest after an aviation incident, get advice before speaking with authorities. Start with our guides on police contact and NSW court procedures, or contact Jameson Law. For urgent help call (02) 8806 0866.
