Helicopter services won't be grounded in Sarawak despite tragedy
LIOW: No helicopter services will be grounded. There is no problem in terms of flight services.
No helicopter services will be grounded in Sarawak despite the tragedy involving a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter in Sebuyau, Sarawak yesterday.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Air Traffic Control Centre will continue to monitor various aspects involving flights, including the weather.
"No helicopter services will be grounded. I think the air traffic control centre will still regulate all these traffic control in a smooth manner. There is no problem in terms of flight services.
"The weather is also good now," he said after handing out appointment letters to Village Safety and Development Committee chiefs at Wisma MCA here today.
Also present were Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong and Kelantan MCA chairman Tan Ken Ten.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during a press conference in Kuching, Sarawak had confirmed that a Eurocopter AS350 was reported missing yesterday after taking off from Betong at 4.12pm.
Six people were on board the helicopter, namely Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon, her husband Asmuni Abdullah, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Muhammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, Noriah's bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun and Filipino pilot Rudolf Rex Ragas.
The helicopter left Betong, about 250km from here, at 4.12pm yesterday and lost contact with the control tower three minutes later.
This morning, parts of the helicopter and a woman's body was found by the search and rescue team in Sebuyau.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Liow said two operation centres to manage and disseminate information had been set up at the Ministry of Transport, Putrajaya and Kuching Airport in Sarawak.
"The centres can be reached at 03-88921488, 03-88921489 or 082-451702," Liow said.
He said the search and rescue (SAR) mission is currently led by the Department of Civil Aviation with the assistance of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency and Civil Defence Department.
Liow said investigations would be conducted by the Air Accident and Investigation Bureau led by Captain Datuk Yahaya Abd Rahman.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who were on board," he said.
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