KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — The Cabinet today expressed its condolences to the families of the five victims who died in the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, Sarawak, yesterday.
Unity government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and all ministers offered their sympathies and condolences at the weekly Cabinet meeting today.
“At present, the investigation process is ongoing and the Cabinet will be updated on its progress later," he said at a press briefing broadcast live after the Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.
Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had earlier announced the identities of all five victims.
He said the victims’ respective next of kin had been informed of the tragedy.
Fahmi also said the Cabinet had yet to discuss extending assistance to the victims’ families.
“Any further information regarding assistance to the next of kin would be referred to the Health Ministry,” he said.
Yesterday, a German-made MBB BO-105 helicopter carrying five individuals, including the pilot, crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) in Ulu Baram, about 929 kilometres from Kuching, while conducting an FDS operation.
It was reported that CAAM received notification of the crash at 3.58pm.
The pilot, a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses on board the light, twin-engine, multipurpose utility helicopter were killed.
