SEPANG: The 58-year-old pilot who was killed in the helicopter crash near Bidor was still alive when he was found at the crash site, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
As the search and rescue for any survivors was paramount in any mishap, the Transport Minister said the latest update was quickly disseminated following confirmation.
ALSO READ: Missing helicopter pilot found alive at crash site near Bidor, says Dr Wee
"There have been many people who were concerned and had been asking about the incident since the night before.
"I was equally hopeful that the pilot would be found alive and I had the responsibility to provide the latest update.
ALSO READ: Perak police chief says helicopter pilot found dead at crash site
"And that was what I received between 8.18am and 8.29am on Monday (Sept 12), that the wreckage was found and the pilot was alive," he said after opening the state safety programme at the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) here Tuesday (Sept 13).
Showing the messages and transcripts from the Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel who were involved in the search and rescue operation on the ground, Dr Wee said there was no communication breakdown of any sort in him providing the victim's latest updates.
ALSO READ: Five agencies involved in search for missing helicopter
"What I updated was true to the time when they were relayed to me.
"When the victim was confirmed dead by the police, it was two hours later," he said.
ALSO READ: Search and rescue operation for missing helicopter resumes Monday (Sept 12) morning
He also said it was "distasteful" for some people, including Opposition leaders to accuse him or the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) of issuing conflicting information and covering up.
"Some even criticised why it was not the minister who died.
ALSO READ: Missing helicopter is eighth incident involving aircraft since 2015
"Let's not make things worse in a sad time like this," he said, adding that they should realise the fact that information was updated in "real time."
The pilot who was involved in the helicopter crash in Kg Kenangan, near Bidor in Perak died at 10.46am on Monday due to the severity of his injuries.
The Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the victim has been identified as Tsz Kin Richard Chan from Hong Kong.
Dr Wee noted that the preliminary report into the incident involving a Eurocopter EC120B aircraft would be known in 30 days.
"The search and rescue operation has ended at the KLATCC. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the case since Monday.
"I will inform the media when they submit the preliminary report to me later," he said, adding that the full report would take a year in case there was negligence or breach of the rules.
