Handed back at Miri

The remains of five people killed in the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash at Long Lellang, Baram, were returned to their families on Sunday morning at Miri Hospital's Forensic Department.

DNA closed the question

Identities were confirmed through DNA analysis, verified officially by the police and the Department of Chemistry before anyone was released to a family.

A minister ran logistics

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry coordinated transport of each set of remains to its final resting place once the identifications were formally confirmed.

An air force flight to Kelantan

Medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin was flown from Miri to Kota Bharu on an RMAF special aircraft, for burial at Seri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery in Pengkalan Chepa.

Three funerals in Sarawak

Nurse Debra Moset is to be buried at Kampung Semadang, Padawan. Nurse Jessie Paya Jok's funeral is at BEM Cemetery Lambir, and assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry's is on Tuesday at Anglican Cemetery Lambir.

The pilot flown south

Capt Zainol Afiq Bee Sham's remains travelled from Miri to KLIA on a Malaysia Airlines flight, then on to Forest Heights Muslim Cemetery in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.

Thanks down the whole chain

Dzulkefly credited the armed forces for the air lift, plus the police, chemists, fire and rescue crews, the Sarawak religious department and Miri Hospital, from the search to the handling of remains.

Flying Doctor grounded

FDS operations are suspended while investigators review what happened. The ministry says it will lean harder on JBPM to keep medical evacuations running in the meantime.

“the temporary suspension of FDS services to facilitate investigations, review and a comprehensive assessment”