Sarawak transport minister calls for broader review of aviation safety safeguards surrounding Flying Doctor Service operations

MIRI, Sept 9 2026: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin has called for a broader review of aviation safety safeguards surrounding Flying Doctor Service (FDS) operations following the tragic helicopter crash near Long Lellang short takeoff and landing airpport (STOLport) yesterday.

Caption: Miniser Lee Kim Shin says that Aviation safety should not only concern pilots, operators and aircraft. It should also include the passengers and personnel who depend on aviation to carry out essential public services

In a statement, he stressed that the cause of the accident must be determined by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the federal Ministry of Transport and urged against speculation.

“My ministry has been working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to promote aviation safety awareness and will explore expanding such initiatives to doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who regularly travel by helicopter or small aircraft to serve rural communities.

“Aviation safety should not only concern pilots, operators and aircraft. It should also include the passengers and personnel who depend on aviation to carry out essential public services,” he said.

“We must ensure that essential healthcare connectivity to our rural communities remains protected while the relevant authorities carry out the necessary investigation and safety review.

“Our focus must be on learning from this tragedy, strengthening the system wherever necessary and ensuring that those who serve our rural communities can do so in the safest possible environment,” he said.

Lee said FDS is a critical lifeline for many of the rural and remote communities.

“The medical personnel and flight crew involved were carrying out an essential public service, and their dedication and sacrifice will always be remembered,” he said.

Lee said that upon arriving in Miri from Kuching at about 8.20 pm last night, he proceeded directly to the Emergency Operations Centre at Miri Airport for a briefing and coordination meeting on the incident, including transport and logistical arrangements for the operation.

After the meeting, he also personally met family members of those on board and briefed them on the latest situation and operational arrangements.

“At a time of such uncertainty and anguish, it was important that the families knew they were not alone and that they would continue to be kept informed and supported,” he said.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the pilot and four Ministry of Health personnel who lost their lives while carrying out FDS duties for rural communities in Sarawak.

“My thoughts and prayers remain with the families during this deeply painful and difficult time. May they be given strength and comfort in the days ahead.

Premier announcing a RM100,000 contribution to each family of the five helicopter crash victims

KUCHING, Sept 9 2026:Premier Abang Johari Openg announced the state government’s contribution of RM100,000 each to the families of the five victims of Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter that crashed-landed near Long Lellang, Marudi, yesterday afternoon.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg also announces that the state government will cover the education fees of children of the five victims

In addition to the contribution, the state government has also agreed to fully cover the education fees of the victims’ children who are still in school through the Sarawak Foundation.

A statement issued by the Premier’s Office said the assistance is a sign of appreciation and concern from the state government for their sacrifices of the victims who died while carrying out their duties to provide services to the people, especially those in the rural areas of Sarawak.

“The Sarawak government expresses its deepest condolences and sorrow to all family members and relatives of the victims for the loss of their loved ones,” the statement said.
The helicopter, operating an FDS service, crash-landed near the Long Lellang short takeoff and landing airport (STOLport) about 3.58pm yesterday afternoon.

A pilot and a four medical personnel died in the crash.

It was confirmed that the helicopter belonged to a company that was rented to provide air doctor services at three locations from Miri to Ba Lai, Long Siut and Long Lellang, Marudi.

Personnel from various agencies now in Long Lellang conducting investigation into yesterday's helicopter crash

MIRI, Sept 9 2026:  A total of 20 personnel from various agencies have been deployed Long Lellang, Ulu Baram today to conduct investigation into a crash of a Flying Doctor Service helicopter yesterday.

Caption: Members of the forensic team collecting evidence at the scene of the helicopter crash

They are already at the scene of the crash in Long Lellang conducting the investigation.

The team consists of 15 members of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, three personnel from Marudi District police headquarters, a representative of Layang-Layang Aerospace and a representative of Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB).

The deployment to Long Lellang using the JBPM's MI-171 (M994-04) helicopter was planned in stages, with the first flight carrying the operations team before being followed by a flight carrying the Royal Malaysian Police forensic team.

Before the deployment was carried out, an operational briefing was held at the Fire and Rescue Department’s Sarawak Regional Air Base in Miri on the flight safety, weather conditions, logistics and the implementation of operations at the incident location.

The briefing was delivered by senior fire officer II Captain Robert James and was attended by Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu State Legislative Member (SLM) Gerawat Gala, Miri Division Resident Galong Luang, Miri District Police Chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah and Marudi District Police Chief DSP Nor Aizan Mohd Jamil.

Coordination of the investigation team was also carried out with police, firemen, Malaysia Airport Berhad and Layang-Layang Aerospace to ensure that the deployed teams and operational requirements to Long Lellang could be carried out in an orderly manner.

Caption: The spot where the helicopter had crash-landed that killed a pilot and four medical personnel

The helicopter, operating an FDS service, crashed near the Long Lellang short takeoff and landing airport (STOLport) yesterday afternoon.

A pilot and a four medical personnel were dead in the crash.

It was confirmed that the helicopter belonged to a company that was rented to provide air doctor services at three locations from Miri to Ba Lai, Long Siut and Long Lellang, Marudi.