KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered a thorough investigation into the Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornet crash in Kuantan.
In a post on X, Anwar called on the authorities to determine the cause of Thursday night incident involving the fighter jet on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan Air Base).
He also urged that all necessary safety measures be implemented.
The Prime Minister expressed his sympathy to the pilot and co-pilot, offering prayers for their recovery, Bernama reported.
Both officers managed to eject safely before the aircraft crashed and were later taken to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan for further examination.
Separately, Anwar directed the Defence Ministry to ensure national security has not been compromised following the arrest of senior Armed Forces officers and media personnel by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the Klang Valley recently.
Government spokesperson and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet briefing, said the Prime Minister had raised his concerns over the matter during the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
The individuals are believed to have leaked details of military operations to smugglers.
According to the MACC, the leak is believed to have enabled illicit activities in southern Malaysian waters to continue without disruption from security and enforcement agencies.
On another matter, the Prime Minister said gatherings in front of Parliament should not be stopped but efforts must be made to ensure that they are orderly.
Fahmi said that Anwar conveyed this to ministers during the Cabinet meeting.
“The few peaceful protests held in front of Parliament recently had led to discussions in the Cabinet on whether there is a need for a suitable place to enable crowds or parties wanting to hand over a memorandum or to state their stand (on issues).
“The Prime Minister stressed to the Cabinet that gatherings in front of Parliament should not be stopped.
“However, the Prime Minister stated that while interested parties can gather in front of Parliament, there must be proper notification to the authorities and efforts must be taken to ensure that the entry and exit of MPs from the building are managed properly.
“There should be better security and better management so as not to disrupt traffic going in and out of Parliament,” said Fahmi.
