Kuala lumpur: Four enforcement agencies will assist the Ministry of Health (MOH) in carrying out mercy flights to aid people in remote areas of Sarawak who require medical assistance. The four agencies are the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that these services would be temporarily utilized pending the conclusion of the investigation into the incident involving the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter. "The mobilised alternatives include securing assistance from JBPM through its Emergency Medical Air Rescue Services (EMARS). As I mentioned in a previous statement, we have already mobilised these measures and other alternatives," he stated while speaking to reporters after accompanying the remains of Dr. Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, 33, at Al Karomah Mosque in Mukim Baung Besar, Pengkalan Chepa.

Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the ministry cannot allow the suspension of the service to continue for an extended period while simultaneously working to strengthen safety-related aspects. "MOH is awaiting the investigation findings from the authorities before determining the next steps to enhance safety and enable the resumption of FDS operations. Seven MOH FDS teams provide services to approximately 14,000 to 15,000 residents in remote areas that are difficult to access via conventional routes," he explained.

The decision comes after a tragic incident on Tuesday, where five individuals on board a BO-105 helicopter operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace lost their lives following a crash near the end of the Long Lellang STOLport runway at approximately 3:40 pm. The victims included Dr. Ainul Baraah, Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham (30), medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry (31), and two nurses, Jessie Paya Jok (44) and Debra Moset (40).