KUCHING: Parts of the helicopter which went missing enroute to Kuching yesterday have been found, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced today.
He told a press conference at the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in Kuching that he received the information about the discovery about 9.50am today.
The debris comprise a rotor blade, a floatation device, part of a helicopter, as well as a door and a seat.
Najib said search and rescue efforts will go on until they find the main body of the helicopter.
“This, we believe may make the operations more challenging as the river is very wide,” he said, adding that every available asset will be deployed for the mission.
DCA director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman told a separate press conference later that the last communication the chopper had with the control tower was three minutes after its departure, in accordance with the standard operating procedure.
On queries whether the helicopter had crashed into the river, since the debris was found at the river bank, Azharuddin refused to comment, saying that is was too early to say so.
The Eurocopter AS350 helicopter took off from Betong at 4.12pm and headed to Kuching, before losing contact at 4.32pm.
Those on board and still missing are Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Noriah Kasnon, Kuala Kangsar MP and Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad, Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry Secretary-General Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Noriah’s husband Asmuni Abdullah, the couple’s bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun, and the pilot, Captain Rudolf Rex Ragas.
