KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today ordered an immediate investigation into the helicopter crash in Semenyih that claimed six lives, including Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis and the former’s private chief secretary Datuk Azlin Alias.

The prime minister said it was too early to say what had caused the crash, but pledged that “no stone will be left unturned” in the incident that one eyewitness claimed involved a mid-air explosion.

Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis’ grandson is seen in Kampung Pasir Baru in Semenyih April 4, 2015 following the helicopter crash. — Picture by Choo Choy May

“This is a tragedy for the loved ones of the six people who have been lost. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

“I am personally grief-struck. Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis was my friend of many years — and no truer friend could I have had. Datuk Azlin Alias was my Chief of Staff — and a truly outstanding government servant. The contributions of these two men to the government, to Umno and to Malaysia were very significant. Theirs was an example of national service that we should all emulate,” Najib said in a statement today.

Earlier, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that the Department of Civil Aviation has started its investigation into the deadly crash.

Liow also confirmed that all six people on board died in the crash.

Aside from Jamaluddin and Azlin, others who perished in the crash include businessman Datuk Robert Tan; Cliff Fournier, the pilot and owner of Chempaka Aviation; Aidana Baizieva; and bodyguard Razakan Seran.

According to information provided by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, the helicopter was en route from Kuantan to Sungai Besi when it crashed at approximately 4.55pm.

The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter AS365 N2 Dauphin owned by IGB Corp and operated by Fournier’s Chempaka Aviation.

Rompin MP Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis (seated, second right) attended the wedding reception of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s daughter in Pekan earlier today. — Bernama pic