KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry (MOH) is awaiting official confirmation of DNA matching results for the five victims of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, Sarawak.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said MOH was aware that DNA samples had been collected from the victims’ family members, but had yet to receive official confirmation of the matching results.
“We have heard (about this development), but we have yet to receive anything official.
“When we receive official confirmation on the matter, Health Director-General Datuk Seri Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab will certainly issue a statement,” he said at a press conference here today.
Dzulkefly was responding to questions on the progress of the DNA matching process following the collection of samples from the victims’ family members for official identification.
On Wednesday, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah was reported to have confirmed that the identities of all five victims had been determined based on personal belongings found with the bodies, pieces of clothing and their seating positions inside the helicopter.
However, the victims’ remains were badly burned and incomplete, prompting authorities to obtain DNA samples from family members for official identification at Miri Hospital.
The victims were pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham; medical officer Dr Ainul Baroah Kamaruddin; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit; and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya.
The BO-105 helicopter, operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, crashed near STOLport Long Lellang on Tuesday afternoon while carrying out an FDS flight.
Meanwhile, Mahathar urged all parties to await further announcements from the Sarawak Police Commissioner on the matter.
He said the statement issued by the Sarawak Police Commissioner on Wednesday had already outlined the procedures and next steps.