KUCHING: A special task force has been set up to act upon and investigate the disappearance of a helicopter over Sarawak airspace today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi says the task force, led by the police, also comprises other enforcement agencies including the Marine Police, Civil Defence Department and Fire and Rescue Department.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the helicopter was supposed to have arrived in Kuching from Betong at 5pm but lost radio contact.
“We have established that its last known location was over Sebuyau, a swampy area close to the sea,” he told reporters when met at the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) entrepreneurs gathering ceremony, here tonight.
He said police have also deployed a team from the General Operations Force to carry out an investigation immediately after they were alerted to the incident.
"In fact, they are in the area already. We hope that the search and rescue team will be able to get the required details to verify the situation."
The helicopter is believed to have been ferrying several VIPs including a deputy minister.
Those believed to be onboard are:
• Datuk Noriah Kasnon (Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister)
• Asmuni Abdullah (Noriah’s husband)
• Datuk Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad (Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament)
• Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai (Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general)
• Ahmad Sobri Harun (Noriah’s bodyguard)
Department of Civil Aviation chief Datuk Azharudin Abdul Rahman earlier said that the helicopter disappeared off the radar around 5pm near the Sebuyau district.
“A search and rescue operation has been mounted,” he said.
It is learnt that the helicopter had radioed an air tower on its estimated time of arrival but later lost radio contact.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Army has deployed to conduct a search and rescue operation to locate the missing helicopter, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Simunjan police chief Deputy Superintendent Choo Yin Kok, when contacted, denied rumours that the helicopter had been found in the area.
“As far as the Simunjan police are concerned, there has been no confirmation that it has been found in this area,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sri Aman district police chief Deputy Superintendent Othman Sulaiman said all its personnel and assets have been directed to check on the missing helicopter in the area.
However, no reports of any helicopter landing were received so far from the four landing zones in the district.
"We have mobilised all personnel to go out and check for any possibility. Police have checked the four official landing zones that are used as helipads, here and there are no reports of any landing.
"There is no report of such a missing helicopter yet, as there is a likelihood that it may have occurred in neighbouring district, Simunjan.
"It was raining heavily in Seri Aman district since 5pm and the downpour lasted about an hour," said Othman.