Sarawak heli crash: PM pledges assistance for victims' families

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will provide all necessary assistance and support to the families of the victims of the helicopter crash in Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said he was deeply saddened by news of the accident involving a Flying Doctor Service helicopter carrying four Health Ministry medical personnel and a pilot yesterday afternoon.

"Azizah (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the families of all the victims who are going through this extremely difficult time. May they be granted strength and fortitude.

"I urge all parties to give the families space and avoid any speculation while awaiting verified information from the authorities.

"The government will provide all necessary assistance and support to the victims' families," he said in a Facebook post.

Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said a Flying Doctor Service Bo-105 helicopter carrying five people crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport in Sarawak.

It said it received notification of the incident from the Flight Information Service at 3.58pm.