Copies of official 'Double Six' crash report given to victims' families

Ewon handing over the full report to Jikilin.

KOTA KINABALU: Copies of the official report on the Double Six tragedy have been given to families of those who perished in the crash.

Among them to receive the full report were Datin Jikilin Binion, 88, widow of the late state assistant minister Datuk Darius Binion and Datuk Donald Mojuntin, 58, son of the late state minister Datuk Peter Mojuntin.

It was handed over by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives minister Datuk Ewon Benedick on behalf of the Federal Government here on Thursday (April 13).

Earlier, Ewon said he hoped the declassified report would at least give some answers and provide closure to the families and Sabahans who have been waiting for almost 50 years.

"I spent time listening to stories and the wishes of families and I will bring this to the Federal Government," he said.

He said for now, it was best to give families their chance and time to read and fully understand the report.

On receiving the letter, Jikilin could not stop talking about the fateful day before her husband left home to fly with Tun Fuad Stephens.

"I made breakfast, eggs I believe and he (Darius) was bathing when Tun Fuad's car arrived, honking for him to hurry up," she said.

"I asked him to bathe quickly and take some food before leaving. The last he said to me was 'Bah, saya jalan dulu. (I am leaving)," she said before breaking down in tears.

Following the release of the declassified report, many Sabah leaders, including Opposition leader and Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as well as former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee have called for the Australian government to release the findings of their investigation.