MIRI: The remains of all five victims of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang will be handed over to their families at the Miri Hospital Forensic Department on Sunday (Sept 13).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said in a statement today that the remains would be sent to their respective hometowns following the official identification of the victims through DNA analysis by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Chemistry Department.
The five victims were pilot Capt Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and staff nurses Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44.
Dr Ainul Baraah’s remains will be flown from Miri to Kota Baru, Kelantan, on a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) special flight before being buried at Tanah Perkuburan Seri Kedeper in Kampung Baung, Pengkalan Chepa.
Debra’s remains will be flown to Kuching and buried at Kampung Semadang, Padawan, on Monday (Sept 14).
Alexson’s remains will be taken from Miri Hospital to his family home on Sunday, with the funeral scheduled for Monday (Sept 14) at Anglican Cemetery Lambir, Miri.
Jessie’s remains will also be taken home on Sunday and buried at BEM Cemetery Lambir on Monday.
Zainol Afiq’s remains will be flown from Miri to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA1) on a Malaysia Airlines flight before being taken to Forest Height Cemetery in Senawang, Negri Sembilan, for burial.
Meanwhile, he said MOH was strengthening its cooperation with the Fire and Rescue Department to support emergency medical evacuation (Medevac) operations to ensure healthcare access for people in remote areas was not affected.
This follows the temporary suspension of FDS services for investigation, review and a comprehensive assessment.
Dr Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry was grateful to the Malaysian Armed Forces for providing RMAF logistical support to facilitate the repatriation of the remains to Peninsular Malaysia.
He also thanked PDRM, the Chemistry Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, Miri Hospital management and other agencies involved in the search and rescue operation and subsequent handling of the remains.
Dr Dzulkefly also thanked Malaysians for their prayers and support for the victims’ families and their colleagues in the ministry.
“The care, prayers and support shown by Malaysians have given meaningful strength to the families and colleagues during this difficult time,” he said.
