RECENTLY, the nation was shocked and deeply saddened by the death of a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) team dedicated to providing healthcare services to residents in remote areas of Sarawak.
This is a tragic loss not only for the people of Sarawak, but for the nation as a whole, as doctors and other medical professionals are a prized and treasured asset.
The FDS was introduced in Sarawak in 1973 and plays a vital role in delivering healthcare services to communities in hard-to-reach areas.
Through regular visits, the service provides medicines and vaccines, as well as medical evacuation missions for critically ill patients.
This is such a thankless and noble act which not many would want to be part of.
Even the pilot involved in the tragedy could have opted to be part of a 'more glamorous' setup rather than join the FDS.
Those who died in the tragic incident chose to put the needs of the people before themselves and were willing to go the extra mile to serve.
When photographs of the helicopter used by the FDS were revealed, many on social media expressed anger and dissatisfaction about why an aged 'flying schoolbus' was being used to carry out such an important task.
According to reports, the BO 105 S (CBS 5) helicopter, registered 9M‑LLF, was issued in 1991 and has transported Health Ministry personnel for Flying Doctor Services (FDS) operations in Sarawak since 2009.
As pointed out by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), no aircraft, ambulance, boat or other vehicle should be used simply because it is available or because a contract has been awarded.
"The age of the asset, maintenance records, safety certification, emergency equipment, and its suitability for the terrain and weather conditions must be assessed carefully and regularly," said its president, Datuk Dr R. Thirunavukkarasu.
He said administrative requirements, operational pressures or contractual convenience must never take precedence over the safety of personnel.
"This is not the first warning. A Flying Doctor Service helicopter crashed in Cameron Highlands in 2022, leaving personnel seriously injured.
"Emergency landings involving Flying Doctor Service operations were also reported in Sabah in 2024 and Sarawak in 2025."
Apart from the 'sad state' of the helicopter, netizens also questioned the lack of specific coverage equivalent to that provided to civil servants carrying out official duties overseas, as stated by Dr Thirunavukkarasu.
"This coverage must be provided regardless of whether the personnel are permanent or contract staff, or employed through an appointed operator," he stressed.
"At present, the doctor-to-population ratio in Malaysia is about 1:430, while this could be very different in Sabah and Sarawak.
"Recent reports revealed that Malaysia is short by over 40,000 nurses, while many leave the profession every year for numerous reasons," pointed out one netizen.
"While we are short of medical professionals, we are certainly not short of politicians, including those who have plundered the nation for years," read another social media comment.
Many raised the same issue as that by the MMA, as to why such 'aged' assets are 'handed down' for important missions.
"How come politicians get to fly around in the latest choppers when those tasked with such an important mission have to use 'hand-me-downs' they questioned.
Netizens pointed out the recent spate of corruption cases involving the famed 1MDB, Felda, Tabung Haji, Jana Wibawa and others.
"Top leaders, including former prime ministers, have robbed the people of millions, while essential services like the FDS and others related to healthcare are given leftovers.
"The amount of money which has been lost to corrupt politicians should be returned to the nation and used to make life better for all Malaysians.
“As Malaysia heads towards an ageing nation, we badly need more healthcare professionals, not corrupt politicians. It is good that the current administration is taking this seriously," added another netizen. – September 11, 2026
