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DAP extends deepest condolences to bereaved  families of three soldiers who perished in  the Nuri helicopter crash in Sarawak and calls for inquiry into the causes and remedies   for the frequency of helicopter crashes in  Ba’Kelalan
 


Media Comment
by Lim Kit Siang

(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): DAP extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved  families of three soldiers who perished in  the Nuri helicopter crash in Sarawak on Sunday, the  two pilots, Mejar Abdul Hadi Wahab and  Kapten Asmalizn Ismail,  and quartermaster  Pegawai Waran Udara (1) Santaliah ak Kadur. The Nuri helicopter,  with seven others, was   on a ration run to convey food supplies to army posts near Ba’Kelalan in Sarawak  when it crash-landed in bad weather. 

The Federal and State governments  should conduct an inquiry into the causes and remedies  for the frequency of helicopter crashes in the Sarawak highlands as it was only a month ago that seven lives perished in a Bell Long Ranger helicopter crash in a similar location  and to map out a strategy  how such loss of lives could be prevented in the future.

 

With the two helicopter crashes and the loss of ten lives in a period of a month, a joint committee of the  Federal and Sarawak State  governments should be established to consider the  urgency and feasibility of developing the road transportation system in the Sarawak highlands to reduce the dangers of helicopter navigation in the state, apart from examining other aspects to reduce the toll from helicopter crashes.

(17/8/2004)


* Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timor & DAP National Chairman