Malaysian Airlines was unable to confirm an Australian news report that one of its pilots, who co-piloted the missing flight MH370, had breached the company's rules by allowing passengers to enter a cockpit three years ago.
 
In a press release late this evening, MAS said it took the allegations against first officer Fariq Ab Hamid "very seriously".
 
"We are shocked by these allegations," read the release.
 
The company said this in response to a report by A Current Affair, a programme on Australia's Nine Network, which is one of the biggest commercial television station in the country.
 
South African Jonti Roos claimed that Fariq (far right) brought her and a friend into the cockpit during the one-hour flight from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur.
 
She claimed that Fariq had smoked in the cockpit, took photos with the two women, and entertained her and her friend.

The report by A Current Affair also noted that this revelation is likely to cause ramifications across the civil aviation industry.
 
However, MAS said that the company is currently tied with the MH370 crisis and does not wish to have its attention diverted.
 
"We also urge the media and general public to respect the privacy of the families of our colleagues and passengers. It has been a difficult time for them.
 
"The welfare of both the crew and passenger’s families remain our focus. 
 
"At the same time, the security and safety of our passengers is of the utmost importance to us," read the release.