PM and leaders offer condolences

Aftermath: Fire and rescue department personnel inspecting the site of the crash. — AFP

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his condolences to the families of the Elmina township plane crash victims.

“I extend my condolences to the families of the victims in the plane tragedy in Elmina, Shah Alam earlier this evening. I pray that they remain steadfast in facing this trial,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Also offering his condolences was MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

“Among the victims was my friend, Pelangai assemblyman and Pahang exco member Datuk Seri Johari Harun,” he said in his Facebook post yesterday.

He, too, offered a short prayer for the victims.

Johari was among 10 people who were killed when the light aircraft he was travelling in, with seven others, crashed near the entrance to the Elmina township at about 2.51pm. A car driver and a motorcyclist were also killed.

Caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil also offered their condolences.

Fahmi said he hopes the families would remain strong in facing this trial while Amirudin urged people not to spread images of the victims and make unfounded speculation.

Also extending his condolences was former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who said his family was shocked and saddened by the tragic news.

He said Johari, besides being a state assemblyman and a Pahang exco member, was also the Bentong Umno division chief.

“He was very dedicated when performing his duties. It is a big loss for the people of Pahang and Umno,” Najib said in a Facebook post yesterday.