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.

Zaid has warped view on MA63 council meeting tomorrow, thinks PMX will concede to whatever Sarawak wants

KUCHING, Sept 9 2026: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has a warped view about tomorrow’s Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action meeting in Kota Kinabalu and he seems to look down on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ability to come out with amicable solutions.

Caption: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim thinks that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will concede to whatever Sarawak wants

He said the prime minister will chair the MA63 meeting, saying “ I think he will concede to whatever Sarawak wants.

“Maybe Petros's sole gas aggregator role, worth RM10 billion a year, will be confirmed,” Zaid suggested in his post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Sarawak already won the Sarawak Sale Tax (SST) on petroleum products worth RM4 billion during Muhyiddin's time,” he said, referring to Muhyiddn Yassin, who was then former prime minister.

“When will we get a PM who will defend the interests of the Federation and of Petronas?” Zaid asked.

Zaid said Anwar must not exchange political support for oil and gas to Sarawak.

“MA63 terms must be discussed openly in the interest of the nation and not become a barter trade among political leaders.

“Let the Federal Court decide; let the rights of Petronas be litigated,” he suggested.

Zaid also asked when would he hear the opposition politicians and Umno leaders speak on oil and gas and Petronas.

“Or will they behave like Anwar and not upset the Eastern bloc, which can derail their premiership plan?” he asked.

Lee Kim Shin attending a meeting and briefing on the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang

MIRI, Sept 8 2026: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin tonight attended a meeting and briefing on the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Baram, this afternoon.

Caption: Minister Lee Kim Shin attending a briefing on the helicopter crash

In his Facebook post, he said the meeting reviewed the latest situation and focused on coordinating transport and logistical arrangements for the operation at the crash site tomorrow.

“Together with the relevant agencies and officers, we discussed the necessary arrangements to ensure that the operation is carried out in a well-coordinated, safe and orderly manner,” he said.

He said upon arriving in Miri from Kuching at 8.20pm, he proceeded directly to attend the meeting held at the Miri Airport Emergency Operations Centre.

“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, and I pray for strength and comfort for their families during this difficult time,” Lee said.

Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sebastian Ting was among those attending the meeting.

Lee also met with family members of the crash victims at the Miri Airport. 

The state police earlier confirmed that a helicopter had crashed at the end of the airport runway in Long Lellang, Marudi, Sarawak today.

Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said initial information received indicated that there were five individuals in the helicopter when it crashed about 3.38pm.

He was 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.