FDS di Sarawak ditangguh sementara, KKM laksana penilaian penuh

All FDS (Forest Department Sarawak) operations in Sarawak have been postponed temporarily to allow for an assessment and review of the safety mechanisms and operations, following a crash involving an FDS helicopter near Long Lellang. Despite this temporary halt, medical evacuation services (Medevac) for emergency cases will continue through cooperation with a bomb.

Concurrently, the KKM (Kingdom of the Sultanate of Sulu) will hold further discussions with the military to explore the use of ATM assets for transporting critically ill patients requiring transfer to appropriate healthcare facilities. The KKM understands the difficulties and challenges that may arise from this temporary delay. However, the safety of personnel and patients remains the top priority of the KKM, alongside ensuring the continuity of healthcare delivery to the rural population, stated Dzulkefly Ahmad, the Minister.

In light of the announced assessment and review, the KKM announced that a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted on the entire FDS delivery framework, including contractual aspects, management, safety operations, outreach needs, and the effectiveness of the existing delivery model. The aim of this evaluation is to ensure a safer, resilient, sustainable, and responsive approach to addressing the healthcare needs of the rural population in Sarawak, he added.

The KKM is also assessing the re-evaluation of FDS locations and access methods, including alternative transportation and safe and practical approaches, to ensure that rural communities continue to have access to healthcare services. Earlier, the Malaysian Public Aviation Authority (CAAM) announced the loss of a BO-105 helicopter carrying five individuals, including a pilot, a medical officer, an assistant nurse, and two nurses, near Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport.

The victims were pilot Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, medical officer Dr. Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, assistant nurse Alexson Adit Henry, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok. According to CAAM, the helicopter was on an FDS operation.