Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has ordered a thorough and comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the helicopter crash in Semenyih this evening.

The helicopter, which was carrying six people including the pilot, and Chairman of PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA) Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis and the chief private secretary to the prime minister, Datuk Azlin Alias, crashed at Jalan Sungai Lalang, Kampung Pasir Baru, Semenyih near here at 4.55pm.

The prime minister said according to procedures, he could not verify the identities of the victims until it was confirmed by forensics.

"However, based on reliable sources, we have lost two figures who had made great contribution to the government, party and country in this tragedy," he told reporters after visiting the crash site at Kampung Sungai Pening, Semenyih here on Saturday night.

Najib, grief-stricken by the tragedy described the incident as a great blow for himself and his family as Jamaluddin had been an acquaintance since his university days and a very close ally in his party struggle and political career.

"Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis was a person of high caliber, who had sacrificed much for the government, party and country. He had many acquaintances here and abroad," he said of Jamaluddin who had served as Ambassador of Malaysia to the
United States.

"Jamaluddin had played a significant role in building close rapport between Malaysia and the United States," he said, adding that Jamaluddin had also offered him a lot of advice and views although he was no longer the ambassador.

Najib, who was seen trying hard to hold back his tears at the news conference, said: "Therefore his loss is a big tragedy to me and I am deeply saddened by what had happened."

In addition to their university days, he said, Jamaluddin, who was also the Member of Parliament for Rompin, and him were together in their early involvement in UMNO and later in government administration.

Speaking on Azlin, whom he described as 'Chief of Staff' in the Prime Minister Office, Najib said the latter's role was to decide on various important matters in office affairs.

"Personally he had agreed to leave his career in the corporate sector to serve the government as his national service," he said.

[PHOTO GALLERY]:
Helicopter crash in Semenyih

"He had worked with full dedication, trust and got along well with everyone, his absence is a great loss for me," he said.

As such the prime minister hoped their families would remain calm and patient through this difficult time.

"Together with my friends, our prayers are with them and we pray their souls would be among the blessed," he said.

The prime minister hoped Malaysians would emulate the contributions made by Jamaluddin and Azlin.