KUALA LUMPUR – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has decided to cancel its 90th-anniversary celebration, replacing it with a tahlil ceremony on Friday (April 26), said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin.
Addressing reporters today, Khaled explained that the decision was made to honour the memory of the 10 officers who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Lumut, Perak, earlier in the day.
He disclosed that the Sultan of Selangor, also the RMN’s captain-in-chief, has granted permission for the cancellation of the anniversary celebration.
“The crash victims ranged in age from 26 to 41 years old. Today would have marked their fourth day of rehearsal for the 90th Navy Day Parade,” he said.
Earlier, Khaled confirmed all the deceased, who were stationed in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and Lumut, Perak, were mostly below their 40s and held various ranks.
The helicopters involved in the crash were an AgustaWestland AW139 maritime operations helicopter (HOM M503-3) and a Eurocopter Fennec (M502-6).
Khaled revealed that this was the third rehearsal flight for the Fennec, which has been in use since 2003, while it was the first for the HOM, received by the navy in 2021.
He also noted that aside from the 10 victims, one individual sustained minor injury from debris when the Fennec crashed into a swimming pool at the Lumut RMN Sports Complex.
Regarding the aftermath, Khaled announced that the RMN, along with the air force, will establish an investigative committee assisted by the Director-General of Technical Airworthiness to probe the incident thoroughly.
In addition, efforts are underway to fly the deceased’s family members from Kota Kinabalu to Ipoh Hospital for identification, with burials planned in their respective hometowns.
“The government, RMN, and air force will not only facilitate funeral arrangements but also provide necessary assistance to the widows and family members of the deceased,” he said.
The accident occurred during a marching parade rehearsal for the RMN’s 90th anniversary in Lumut. The helicopters took off from Padang Sitiawan at 9.30am, with the HOM crashing at the RMN stadium and the Fennec into the complex’s swimming pool.
The casualties aboard the HOM were Muhammad Firdaus Ramli, Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Wan Zainal Abidin, Mohammad Amirulfaris Mohamad Marzukhi, Muhammad Faisol Tamadun, Noorfarahimi Mohd Saedy, Noor Rahiza Anuar, and Joanna Felicia Rohna
The three crew members aboard the Fennec were identified as Muhamad Amir Mohamad, Sivasutan Thanjappan, and Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi. – April 23, 2024