Transport Minister Lee expresses deep concern over the helicopter crash in Long Lellang

KUCHING, Sept 8 2026: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin has expressed his deep concern over the helicopter accident reported near Long Lellang STOLport (a short takeoff and landing airport)  this afternoon.

Caption: Minister Lee Kim Shin says his ministry is closely the situation and remains in contact with the relevant authorities

“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone on board, their families and all those affected by this incident,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook.

Lee said his ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with the relevant authorities for the latest verified information.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the BO-105 helicopter, bearing registration number 9M-LLF, was operating a Flying Doctor Service flight with five persons on board, including the pilot.

“The Flying Doctor Service is an important lifeline for our rural and remote communities in Sarawak. At this stage, our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all those involved,” Lee said.

He urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow the relevant authorities to carry out the necessary operations and investigation.

Lee added that his ministry will extend its full cooperation to the relevant authorities where required.

“We pray for the best possible outcome and for the smooth conduct of the ongoing operations,” he added.

CAAM confirms helicopter crashes in Long Lellang, fate of five persons on board unknown

KUCHING, Sept 8 2026: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed that a BO-105 helicopter had crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport in Baram at noon today.

Caption: A screenshot of the scene of the helicopter crash

It said received notification of the incident, involving an aircraft with the registration number 9M-LLF, from the flight information service at 3.58pm.

“The helicopter was operating a Flying Doctor Service flight with five people on board, including the pilot,” it said in a statement posted on its Facebook.

It also said that the Air Accident Investigation Bureau, under the transport ministry, will investigate the incident in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.

Unconfirmed reports said the helicopter was ferrying a pilot and four medical personnel - a doctor, two staff nurses and a medical officer.

Both the police and Fire and Rescue Department personnel were at the scene as soon as the tragedy struck.

However, there were no reports on the fate of the persons on board.

Long Lellang is a small village in the Kelabit highlands in the interior Baram.

The village is predominantly populated by the Kelabit tribe, though a number of Penan people also live there.

All the surrounding villages near Long Lellang are Penan villages.

The village has shops and a church, and over 100 students are enrolled at the village school, SRK Long Lellang.

The population of Long Lellang is about 100 families.

Long Lellang Airport is a short takeoff and landing (STOL) airfield, providing access to this remote village.

An aerial view of the village as it was before the new airstrip and terminal building were constructed is viewable on the Aviation Forum.

Air quality in Serian and Lundu out of the hazardous category

KUCHING, Sept 8 2026: The air quality in Serian and Lundu has improved and is no longer categorised as hazardous.

Caption: The hazy condition along Tun Jugah Road early Wednesday morning 

As at 5pm this afternoon, the air pollutant index (API) readings for the two locations were labelled as very unhealthy.

However, the API reading in Lundu was registered at 299 while the API reading in Serian was recorded at 246.

According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the API reading in Kuching stood at 246 level, while the registered API readings in Samarahan was 224 and Simanggang, 222.

The air quality in Lubok Antu was labelled as very unhealthy.

The API reading in Lubok Antu was recorded at 203.

The weather monitoring stations recorded 10 locations with unhealthy and four locations with moderate air quality.

	STATION	INDEX	STATUS
	KUCHING	248	Very Unhealthy
	SAMARAHAN	224	Very Unhealthy
	SERIAN	246	Very Unhealthy
	SIMANGGANG	222	Very Unhealthy
	SARIKEI	185	Unhealthy
	SIBU	165	Unhealthy
	MUKAH	183	Unhealthy
	KAPIT	96	Moderate
	BINTULU	168	Unhealthy
	SAMALAJU	179	Unhealthy
	MIRI	164	Unhealthy
	ILP MIRI	173	Unhealthy
	LIMBANG	80	Moderate
	LUNDU	299	Very Unhealthy
	TEBEDU	199	Unhealthy
	LUBOK ANTU	203	Very Unhealthy
	KANOWIT	182	Unhealthy
	LAWAS	95	Moderate
	BARIO	56	Moderate
	BETONG (MCAQM)	181	Unhealthy