Sarawak helicopter crash: Senator wants similar helicopters grounded
GEORGE TOWN: The government should temporarily suspend the use of helicopters of the same model as the one involved in the Sarawak Flying Doctor Service (FDS) crash.
The government is being urged to temporarily halt the use of helicopters similar to the one involved in the recent Sarawak Flying Doctor Service (FDS) crash. Senator Dr Lingeshwaran R. Arunasalam emphasized that the safety of all individuals relying on the service should be the top priority, stating this precautionary step should be maintained until the cause of the incident is confirmed.
A Bo-105 helicopter, carrying five people including its pilot, crashed near Long Lellang STOLport in Sarawak yesterday. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia received notification of the incident at 3:58pm. Dr Lingeshwaran pointed out that the aircraft, registered as 9M-LLF and built in Germany around 1991, was not a new unit but a used and reconditioned one with a history of operating under different registrations.
If the investigations reveal that the aircraft's age, maintenance records, or condition were factors in the crash, the government must take full responsibility and hold the private contractor accountable. Dr Lingeshwaran also advocated for a review of the use of older helicopters and urged contractors to replace them with newer aircraft better suited for the service.
He underscored that human lives should not be judged based on contract costs or operational profits, and called for precautionary measures to be taken immediately, without waiting for a second tragedy. Dr Lingeshwaran also expressed his condolences to the families of the four Health Ministry personnel and pilot who lost their lives in the crash, reaffirming his solidarity with their families, colleagues, and the wider Health Ministry community.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
