Missing copter: Adenan calls for prayers

Tan Sri Adenan Satem

KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has called for prayers for the well-being of those on board a missing helicopter.

"Heard about the disappearance of the helicopter on route from Betong to Kuching. Let us all pray for the safety of the passengers and pilot of helicopter RCP6828," Adenan posted on his Facebook page at around 11.15pm.

Although the passenger manifest has yet to be confirmed, it is believed that Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and her husband Asmuni Abdullah were on flight RPC 6828.

The four other individuals on board were the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Kuala Kangsar MP and Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad and personal bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun, as well as the pilot, Captain Rudolf Rex Ragas.

Noriah is also Sungai Besar MP.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the helicopter at 4.32pm on Thursday after taking off from Betong at 4.12pm.

Search and Rescue (SAR) teams have been mobilized and dispatched to the areas narrowed down by the team.

Adenan is among many leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who have expressed their concerns and made prayers for the safety of those on board.