Families to receive remains of five Sarawak helicopter crash victims

The remains of five victims from a helicopter crash in Sarawak will be returned to their families today, after DNA identification confirmed their identities. Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that the victims were officially identified through a DNA analysis conducted by the police and the Department of Chemistry, and their remains will be transferred to their families at the Forensic Department of Miri Hospital.

This comes after a helicopter carrying out a health mission crashed near Long Lellang on Tuesday, killing all five individuals on board, including four medical personnel.

Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin's remains will be transported from Miri to Kota Baru in Kelantan for burial at Seri Kedeper Cemetery. Nurse Debra anak Moset's remains will be flown from Miri to Kuching and buried in Kampung Semadang, Padawan on September 14. Assistant medical officer Alexson Adit anak Henry's remains will be transferred to his home in Miri and buried at Anglican Cemetery Lambir on September 15.

Nurse Jessie Paya Jok's remains will also be transferred to her home in Miri before being buried at BEM Cemetery Lambir on September 14. Pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham's remains will be flown to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and buried at Forest Height Cemetery in Negri Sembilan.

Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the Health Ministry would continue to cooperate with the Fire and Rescue Department to support emergency medical evacuation operations, ensuring that healthcare access in remote areas is not impacted by the temporary suspension of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS). The Ministry thanked Malaysians for their concern, prayers, and support during this difficult time, acknowledging that their assistance has provided strength to the victims' families and colleagues at the Health Ministry.