Remains of 5 Flying Doctor Service Crash Victims Handed to Families Following DNA Confirmation

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 – The remains of all five victims of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Baram, Sarawak, were handed over to their respective families on Sunday morning at the Forensic Department of Miri Hospital after their identities were officially confirmed through DNA analysis.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) coordinated the transportation arrangements to deliver the remains to their final resting places following formal identity verifications completed by the police and the Department of Chemistry.

Outlining the repatriation plans for Peninsular Malaysia, Dr Dzulkefly confirmed that the remains of medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin will be flown from Miri to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, aboard a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) special aircraft before burial at the Seri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Baung, Pengkalan Chepa. Meanwhile, the remains of pilot Capt Zainol Afiq Bee Sham will be transported via a commercial Malaysia Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) before being laid to rest at the Forest Heights Muslim Cemetery in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.

Funeral arrangements for the remaining three healthcare personnel in Sarawak have also been finalized. Nurse Debra Moset will be laid to rest at Kampung Semadang in Padawan on Monday, while nurse Jessie Paya Jok’s funeral is scheduled at the BEM Cemetery in Lambir, Miri, on the same day. Assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, September 15, at the Anglican Cemetery in Lambir, Miri.

Dr Dzulkefly expressed deep appreciation to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and RMAF for providing critical logistical support, as well as the police, Department of Chemistry, Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), and Miri Hospital management. He added that the ministry will strengthen strategic cooperation with JBPM to ensure uninterrupted medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations while FDS operations remain temporarily suspended to facilitate a comprehensive safety review and investigation.

–NMT