KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) might consider postponing its 90th anniversary celebrations following a crash involving two helicopters during its third rehearsal earlier today.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin confirmed the matter to the media today.
"That (the organisation of the RMN 90th anniversary celebration) I believe will be considered because it is a programme arranged by the RMN," he told reporters after he was asked whether the celebration this Saturday would continue.
Khaled said the first two rehearsals of the celebration went smoothly with no incidents.
Earlier today, two Malaysian Armed Forces helicopters crashed following a mid-air collision over the naval base in Lumut, Perak.
All 10 crew members on board both helicopters perished.
The helicopter, an AgustaWestland AW139 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and a Eurocopter Fennec had collided during a mid-air manoeuvre during a flypast training for the RMN's 90th anniversary celebrations.
Following the mid-air collision, the AW139 HOM helicopter crashed at the steps of the Navy Stadium while the Fennec helicopter crashed near the pool of the Navy Sports Complex.
The RMN has established an investigation board to investigate the incident.