MOH to review Flying Doctor Service contracts after Long Lellang crash - Dr Mahathar
GEORGE TOWN: The Health Ministry (MOH) will review all contracts related to the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), including helicopter services, following Tuesday’s fatal crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak.
The Health Ministry (MOH) will review all contracts associated with the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), including helicopter services, in the wake of a fatal crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak on Tuesday. Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab made this announcement following the crash, which killed five people, including four MOH personnel and a pilot.
The review comes as instructed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad after officiating the Malaysia Trauma Conference (MTC) 2026. Dr Mahathar stated that the review would encompass all FDS contracts, adding that the matter of the helicopter's usage would be reviewed. However, he did not comment on claims regarding the helicopter's long service time, stating that the issue falls under the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia's (CAAM) investigation.
The ministry had earlier suspended all FDS operations on September 10 to allow authorities to investigate and review its safety and operational mechanisms. The crash occurred at Long Lellang Airport in Ulu Baram, Sarawak, where a BO-105 helicopter carrying medical evacuation personnel crashed, leading to the deaths of Captain Zainol Afiq Sham Bee, medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, medical assistant Alexson Adit, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya, who were en route to provide healthcare services to the local community.
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