JOHOR BARU: The prompt response of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Special Task and Rescue (STAR) team after a police helicopter crashed in Sungai Pulai on Thursday (July 10) showed the agency's readiness and effectiveness in handling emergencies, as well as its commitment to protecting the nation's waters.
In a Facebook post, the MMEA said the 10 team members were the first responders who dived into the river to rescue and extract five members of the Air Operations Force despite the chaotic situation.
"The team, led by the Peninsular Malaysia STAR Team deputy squadron leader, Maritime Lieutenant Nur Mohd Farhan Mohd Hamil, showed great bravery and professionalism in rescuing all victims without any loss of life," the post read.
In the 10.15am incident on Thursday, the police's AS355N helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG crashed during the Multilateral Nuclear Security Detection Exercise 2025, a joint exercise involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, held at the Gelang Patah Maritime Jetty.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), in a statement, said the helicopter departed from the Tanjung Kupang Police Station at 9.51am, carrying five individuals, including the pilot.
Two of the five police officers involved in the incident were reported to be in critical condition, requiring respiratory assistance and treatment at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Johor Baru.
Bukit Aman internal security and public order department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim was quoted as saying that three of the victims had been placed in regular wards, one remained sedated and was receiving intensive care in the ICU, while another was also being treated in the same unit. – Bernama
