MAF ready to support emergency flying doctor service evacuations, says Chief of Defence Forces

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman said the Armed Forces is ready to deploy its air assets to assist the Health Ministry in providing Flying Doctor Service, particularly for emergency medical evacuations in remote areas. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 14 Sep 2026 2:19 PM MYT

Last Modified: Monday, 14 Sep 2026 2:20 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is ready to deploy its air assets to assist the Health Ministry (MoH) in providing Flying Doctor Service (FDS), particularly for emergency medical evacuations in remote areas.

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman said the move was aimed at meeting the ministry’s urgent needs following last Tuesday’s FDS helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak.

He said the MAF had sufficient facilities and helicopters to undertake the missions and was ready to cooperate once an official request was coordinated at ministry level.

“As a provider of services in the context of comprehensive security and emergency assistance, we will fill the gap during this critical period, particularly in areas that are difficult to access.

“We are ready to meet the ministry’s request and coordinate the operational efforts to ensure that services for the people are not disrupted,” he said during a special interview with the Chief of Defence Forces in conjunction with the 93rd MAF Day at Wisma Pertahanan here today.

Malek Razak, however, stressed that the MAF’s assistance would focus on emergency evacuation support and would not involve taking over the MoH’s routine medical operations in their entirety.

Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said four government agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), would assist the MoH in providing temporary mercy flights.

The alternative arrangement, which also involves the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Fire and Rescue Department, will remain in place pending the outcome of investigations and completion of safety improvements for FDS operations.

The BO-105 helicopter crash near the Long Lellang STOLport runway claimed five lives, including four MoH medical personnel.

The victims were pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, 33; medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31; and nurses Jessie Paya Jok, 44, and Debra Moset, 40. — Bernama