KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — The National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) urged airlines to position more male cabin crew aboard flights in the wake of a passenger who threatened to "bomb” the Kuala Lumpur-bound flight from Melbourne last night,

It claimed male cabin crews were better equipped to handle disruptive or dangerous situations as proven by their quick response to apprehend a male passenger aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 who had attempted to enter the cockpit and threatened to bomb the plane.

"The skill and readiness have proven once more how the crew members were quick to react... to the situation on board the Melbourne KL bound flight,” it said in a statement issued today.

"It also proves that the cabin crew were competent when facing such dangerous situations...it is also crucial and important to have sufficient crew members on all flights.

"The subject of having more male crew members on board the flights are equally important as male crew members will normally react as defence to such situation,” it added.

The pilot aborted the flight following the alleged hijacking attempt and returned to Melbourne Airport shortly after take-off.

In the incident, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan national had reportedly fished out a large object, claiming it to be a bomb, and attempted to force himself into the plane’s cockpit.

He was reported to have been drunk.

Nufam said no untoward incident took place because flight attendants are well-trained to handle such situations.

The union said things would have been worse if the passenger had not been stopped from entering the cockpit while the jet was still climbing.

"Having said that, Nufam hope all airlines will employ male cabin crew for safety and security reasons.

"It is imperative for airlines to carry more male crew members especially on long flights as a prevention measure,” it added.