Pairin Conveys Condolences To Chopper Victims' Family
Saturday, 4 September 2004 (Source: Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan Saturday conveyed his condolences to families of the four who died in yesterday's helicopter crash in Sarawak.

Pairin, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah president, said although the crash was hard to fathom, "we have to be brave and accept it as fate. Let us pray together to be strong and accept the loss of our loved ones".

The Bell 206 Long Ranger, belonging to Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd, crashed near an oil palm plantation at Kampung Sungai Buloh in Sadong Jaya, about 70 nautical miles north-east of Kuching, while flying to the Lubuk Antu district for a meet-the-people session at Rumah Gema, Skrang at 9.55am.

Bettie Alek, 45, private secretary of Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu; Awang Iskandar Awang Anwar, in his late 30s, the personal bodyguard of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Adenan Satem; Yong Khian Liong, a freelance photographer, 60; and pilot Kapt Abang Ibrahim Abang Ismail, in his early 30s, were killed.

It is the third helicopter tragedy in Sarawak in as many months with the first on July 12 when a Bell 206 Hornbill Skyways helicopter crashed at the foothills of Mount Murud, near Ba'Kelalan, killing all seven people on board, including Dr Judson Sakai Tagal, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office.

On Aug 15, a Royal Malaysian Air Force Nuri helicopter crashed, also near Ba'Kelalan, killing three of 10 people on board.