KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — A Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) plane was forced to return to Melbourne, Australia tonight due to a disruptive passenger.

According to The Daily Mirror, Melbourne Airport is also in a security lockdown due to the incident involving the MAS flight.

"MH128 departed Melbourne Airport at 11.11pm and was to arrive Kuala Lumpur at 5.28am on 1 June made a turn back to Melbourne after the operating captain was alerted by a cabin crew of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit,” MAS said in a statement.

The airline did not elaborate on the passenger's attempt to breach the secure cockpit area.

The flight landed at Melbourne Airport half an hour after takeoff without any further incident.

"Passengers have safely disembarked the aircraft and will be screened by Australian authorities,” the airline added later.

MAS added that affected passengers will be booked on the next available flights or with other airlines.