{
  "id": 6684040,
  "title": "Senator defends Dzulkefly after calls to resign over chopper crash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/senator-defends-dzulkefly-after-calls-to-resign-over-chopper-crash-6684040",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T01:28:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/11/senator-defends-dzulkefly-after-calls-to-resign-over-chopper-crash"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Five individuals were aboard the BO-105 helicopter that tragically crashed near Long Lellang short take-off and landing airport in Ulu Baram, a distance of approximately 930km from Kuching, on Tuesday. PETALING JAYA: A senator has stepped forward to defend Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad amid calls for his resignation following the fatal helicopter crash in Sarawak that claimed the lives of four healthcare workers. Dr RA Lingeshwaran, who voiced his support for Dzulkefly, maintained that the resignation of a minister was not the solution to the systemic issues at hand. Lingeshwaran noted that concerns related to the public healthcare sector, such as safety measures for the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) and allowances for health workers within the FDS, had been addressed incrementally. He also mentioned that additional initiatives were currently in development. However, he emphasized the importance of understanding the complexities of government bureaucracy. Lingeshwaran, a former hospital director, made these remarks in a statement responding to reports by health portal CodeBlue regarding the calls for Dzulkefly's resignation. He reiterated his plea for the establishment of a health service commission, urging that such a move be pursued while he continued to serve as health minister. The BO-105 helicopter, carrying four healthcare professionals, crashed en route from Miri Airport to Long Lellang on Tuesday, resulting in the fatalities of both the crew members and the pilot.",
  "summary": "Dr RA Lingeshwaran says the health minister's resignation is not the solution to a long-standing systemic issue.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Senator defends Dzulkefly after calls to resign over chopper crash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/senator-defends-dzulkefly-after-calls-to-resign-over-chopper-crash",
        "published": "2026-09-11T01:28:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}