Four agencies step in as Sarawak crash probe continues
KOTA BARU: The Health Ministry will work with four enforcement agencies to provide mercy flights to remote areas of Sarawak requiring medical assistance while the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) remains suspended pending an investigation into a recent helicopter crash.
The four agencies are the police, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Fire and Rescue Department.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) said the alternative arrangements will remain in place until the investigation into the helicopter incident is completed, Bernama reported.
“The alternatives include securing assistance from Bomba through its Emergency Medical Air Rescue Services.
“As I mentioned in a previous statement, we have already mobilised these measures and other alternatives,” he told reporters after accompanying the remains of Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, 33, at Al Karomah Mosque in Mukim Baung Besar, Pengkalan Chepa, here yesterday.
Dzulkefly said the ministry cannot allow the service to remain suspended for too long.
“The ministry is awaiting the investigation findings from the authorities before determining the next steps to enhance safety and enable the resumption of FDS operations.
“Seven ministry FDS teams provide services to about 14,000 to 15,000 residents in remote areas that are difficult to access by conventional routes,” he said.
On Tuesday, five people on board a BO-105 helicopter operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace were killed when it crashed near the end of the Long Lellang STOLport (short take off and landing airport) runway at about 3.40pm.
The other fatalities were Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and nurses Jessie Paya Jok, 44; and Debra Moset, 40.
