LOCAL dairy product company Farm Fresh Berhad confirmed that its farm director died in a helicopter crash in Pililla, Rizal Province, Philippines, on Tuesday morning.
Farm Fresh Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer Loi Tuan Ee said that its farm director, Jacob Mathan, died at 7.20 am while on a helicopter that crashed en route to a potential farm site in the country.
According to him, the flight, which was initially expected to be a normal trip, turned into a tragedy after the helicopter experienced engine problems.
"I am still struggling to process this incident, even hours after being informed of his passing.
"Our CEO in the Philippines, Shawn, was also injured and thankfully is now in a stable condition. Let us all pray for strength and courage for Jacob's wife, Amy, and their family, and for Shawn's speedy recovery," he said in a statement.
Previously, it was reported that a Malaysian was killed and another was injured when a helicopter carrying five people crashed in the Philippines.
The accident also claimed the life of a Filipino passenger after the Bell 505 helicopter reportedly made an emergency landing in an empty field at about 7.27 am.
Loi said that Jacob was an important and much-loved member of the Farm Fresh family and had served the company for a long time.
"Jacob joined the Farm Fresh family as a university intern 13 years ago. I can still clearly remember the first day he joined me at Ladang Mawai.
"He showed a high sense of responsibility, a great desire to learn, and most importantly, he was a genuinely nice person," he shared.
According to him, Jacob has also shown excellent performance in his career, rising through the organisation and being appointed as the Farm Director.
He added that Jacob is known as a dedicated, trustworthy and highly reliable professional in every work matter.
In addition, he described the young man as a friendly, respectful and civilised person, so much so that he is respected and liked by all the people of Farm Fresh. – March 4, 2026
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