Malaysia

FDS crash victims’ remains return home for burial

The remains of medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin and helicopter pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham are being returned to Kelantan and Negri Sembilan today for burial

Updated 6 hours ago · Published on 13 Sep 2026 9:01AM

FDS crash victims’ remains return home for burial
The MOH is to disclose the number of Sarawak residents affected in terms of access to follow-up medical services following the temporary suspension of FDS operations - September 13, 2026

THE remains of two members of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) crew killed in last week’s helicopter crash in Sarawak are being brought home today for burial, following the completion of the identification process.

The remains of medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33, are expected to arrive at Masjid Al-Karamah in Kampung Baung, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, at about noon, although the timing is subject to the flight schedule set by the authorities in Sarawak.

A close family member said the remains would be taken to the mosque for funeral prayers before being buried at the Sri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery.

Upon arriving in Kelantan, the remains will be taken to Masjid Al-Karamah in Kampung Baung at about noon for funeral prayers before being buried at the Sri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery,” the family member said when contacted by Mingguan Malaysia yesterday.

Meanwhile, the remains of BO-105 helicopter pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30, will be brought home to Negri Sembilan after his identity was confirmed through DNA testing.

His father, Bee Sham Ahmad, 59, said he was informed yesterday that the DNA results had been obtained and that the family was ready to receive his son’s remains for burial.

“We were informed yesterday that the DNA results had been obtained. Once everything is settled, the remains will be brought home and all the preparations have been made,” he said.

He said the remains would be taken directly to Masjid Bandar Baru Senawang in Seremban upon arrival from Sarawak for funeral prayers before being buried at the Forest Height Muslim Cemetery in Senawang at about 5.30pm.

Bee Sham, his wife and an in-law had travelled to Sarawak last Wednesday to await the identification process after their DNA samples were taken upon arrival in the state.

Separately, the Health Ministry (MOH) will disclose the number of Sarawak residents affected in terms of access to follow-up medical services following the temporary suspension of FDS operations.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab said the figures had been compiled and would be submitted to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad for further action.

“In the near future, we will release (the figure),” he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) 2026 dinner in Ipoh tonight, which was also attended by MMA president Dr L. Sivanaesan.

Dr Dzulkefly was reported on Thursday to have said that all FDS operations in Sarawak had been temporarily suspended following the crash involving a helicopter used for the service in Long Lellang.

He said the suspension was intended to allow an investigation and a review of safety and operational mechanisms to be carried out by the relevant authorities.

The accident last Tuesday claimed the lives of all five people aboard the BO-105 helicopter operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace after it crashed near the end of the Long Lellang STOLport runway at about 3.40pm.

The other victims were medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31, and nurses Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44. - September 13, 2026

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