Missing copter: Hisham orders air force, army to conduct joint search

PETALING JAYA: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has ordered the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Army to conduct a joint search and rescue operation for a helicopter missing in Sarawak.

"I have directed the Air Force and Army to work together in a search-and-rescue operation for a helicopter reported missing in Sarawak. My family and I pray that the passengers and crew are found safely. (Sy telah arah @airforcenextgen & @TenteraDarat bersama2 dalam operasi mencari & menyelamat (SAR) helikopter yg dilaporkan hilang di Sarawak. Saya sekeluarga doakn penumpang & krew sebuah helikopter yg dilaporkan hilang di Sarawak berada dlm keadaan selamat & dipelihara Allah SWT)" said Hishammuddin.

He said this in two tweets on Thursday night.

Six individuals including Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and Kuala Kangsar MP and Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad were believed to have been on the helicopter which went missing earlier this afternoon.

Others on the helicopter include Noriah's husband, Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai and personal bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun, as well as the pilot of the flight RP-C 6828 Captain Rudolf Rex Ragas.

According to reports, the helicopter lost contact at 5pm near Sebuyau on Thursday.

It is believed to have been travelling from Betong to Kuching.