FDS crash victims’ remains to be handed over to families today

KUCHING: The remains of the five victims of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang will be handed over to their respective families at the Forensic Department of Miri Hospital today (Sept 13).

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the handover followed the official identification of all five victims through DNA analysis conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Department of Chemistry Malaysia.

In a statement, he said the Ministry of Health (MOH) had also coordinated the transportation of the remains to their respective final resting places.

The remains of medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin will be flown from Miri to Kota Bharu, Kelantan on a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) special aircraft.

She will be laid to rest at Seri Kedeper Cemetery, Kampung Baung, Pengkalan Chepa.

Meanwhile, the remains of nurse Debra Moset will be flown from Miri to Kuching and buried at Kampung Semadang, Padawan, tomorrow (Sept 14).

The remains of assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry will be brought from Miri Hospital to his family home today, with the funeral scheduled for Sept 15 at Anglican Cemetery Lambir, Miri.

The remains of nurse Jessie Paya Jok will also be brought from Miri Hospital to her family home today and will be buried tomorrow at BEM Cemetery Lambir, Miri.

The remains of pilot Allahyarham Kapten Zainol Afiq Bee Sham will be flown from Miri to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA1) on a Malaysia Airlines flight before being taken for burial at Forest Height Cemetery, Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.

Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry is deeply saddened by the tragedy and focused on ensuring the final arrangements for all five victims who lost their lives while carrying out their duties were carried out with due respect.

Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said MOH would continue strengthening its strategic cooperation with JBPM to support emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations to ensure access to healthcare for people in remote areas was not disrupted.

This follows the temporary suspension of FDS operations for investigation, review and comprehensive assessment.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), particularly the RMAF, for providing logistical support to facilitate the repatriation of the remains to Peninsular Malaysia.

He also thanked PDRM, the Department of Chemistry Malaysia, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), the management of Miri Hospital and all agencies involved in the search and rescue (SAR) operation and subsequent management of the remains.

He also expressed gratitude to Malaysians for their concern, prayers and support for the healthcare workers and their families during the difficult period.