{
  "id": 12125569,
  "title": "MPs seek answers on Flying Doctor Service safety after Sarawak crash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mps-seek-answers-on-flying-doctor-service-safety-after-sarawak-crash",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T09:43:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1548281/mps-seek-answers-flying-doctor-service-safety-after-sarawak-crash"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two members of Parliament, Dr Kelvin Yii and Dr Halimah Ali, have questioned the safety and future of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) following a helicopter crash that claimed five lives in Sarawak last month. Yii pointed out that the 35-year-old Bo 105 helicopter used for the service is outdated, as the model was no longer produced in 2001. He also inquired about the maintenance oversight of the aircraft operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace. Yii further questioned the timing of the suspension of the Bo 105 fleet after the crash and sought details about the awarding of the FDS contract with Layang-Layang, its value, and whether it was awarded through a transparent process. Yii also wondered if the contract included an age limit for the aircraft used in the service and when the Health Ministry last audited Layang-Layang's maintenance records. In response, Dr Halimah Ali emphasized the need to strengthen mobile outreach services by providing sufficient manpower, vehicles, and equipment. She stressed the importance of this following the tragedy, as the victims were dedicatedly providing healthcare to remote communities. Ali urged the ministry to conduct a thorough risk assessment of FDS operations and questioned whether the current number of aircraft and aviation assets was adequate to serve these remote areas effectively. She sought information on the Health Ministry's plan to ensure the continuity of FDS, including the procurement of replacement aircraft, medical evacuation readiness, crew and healthcare worker training, and emergency coordination, all while maintaining safety standards. The victims of the crash were Layang-Layang Aerospace pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, Health Ministry doctor Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok, and medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Two members of parliament have raised concerns over the safety and continuity of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) following last month’s helicopter crash that killed five people in Long Lellang, Sarawak.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}