Police, RMAF among four agencies supporting Sarawak during Flying Doctor Service suspension

KOTA BHARU, Sept 13 — Four enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, will support the Ministry of Health in conducting emergency medical flights to remote areas of Sarawak. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad explained that this assistance will be in place until the investigation into the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash is completed.

The measures being employed include seeking help from the Fire and Rescue Department's Emergency Medical Air Rescue Services. Dzulkefly emphasized that the ministry cannot allow the service to remain inactive for too long, while also working on enhancing safety. The Ministry of Health operates seven FDS teams to serve approximately 14,000 to 15,000 residents in remote areas.

On Tuesday, a tragic incident occurred when a BO-105 helicopter operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace crashed, resulting in the death of five individuals, including Dr. Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, and nurses Jessie Paya Jok and Debra Moset.