Sarawak police close final chapter as Long Lellang crash victims return to families

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah (centre) speaks to reporters outside the Miri Hospital mortuary on September 12, 2026, confirming that the remains of all five Long Lellang helicopter crash victims have been handed over to their families. — The Borneo Post pic

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 8:20 PM MYT

MIRI, Sept 12 — The remains of all five victims of the Sept 8 helicopter crash in Long Lellang have been handed over to their respective families, said Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah.

He said the remaining process involved identifying the victims’ personal belongings for handover to their families.

“Alhamdulillah, I have just come out of the Forensic Department and we are now carrying out the identification process of the personal belongings to be handed over to the families.

“Technically, we have handed everything over (remains of the victims), but there may be some issues with arranging the aircraft, so they may be flown out tomorrow (Sept 13).

“As far as the police are concerned, we have handed the victims over to their families for further arrangements,” he told reporters outside the Miri Hospital mortuary today.

He said two of the victims would be flown to Peninsular Malaysia, while the other three would be buried in Miri and Kuching.

Flight arrangements and related matters would be handled by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, he added.

“The respective families will liaise with Layang-Layang Aerospace. As far as the police are concerned, we have handed all the victims over to their families for the next process, including the flight arrangements,” he said.

On the cause of the crash, Mohamad Zainal said the matter would be announced by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau.

As for the police investigation, he said the case had been classified as a Sudden Death Report (SDR), with statements from 19 witnesses recorded so far.

“I will provide further updates later,” he said.

Mohamad Zainal also thanked the Department of Chemistry Malaysia for working tirelessly to complete the DNA identification process within 24 hours.

“As early as 6am today, they informed us that the DNA samples had been analysed and matched the markings we made at the scene with the victims we had identified,” he said.

The helicopter, operated under the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), crashed at the Long Lellang STOLport at about 3.40pm on Sept 8, killing all five people on board.

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

Dr Ainul’s remains are expected to be flown to Kelantan, while Capt Zainol’s remains are expected to be flown to Kuala Lumpur at 8.30am tomorrow (Sept 13). Debra’s remains are expected to be airlifted to Kuching at about 9am.

Dr Ainul is expected to be buried at the Sri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery in Kota Bharu, while Capt Zainol’s remains will be brought to his home state of Negeri Sembilan.

Alexson Adit is expected to be laid to rest at the Anglican Cemetery in Lambir, while Jessie Paya is expected to be buried at the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) cemetery, also in Lambir.

Meanwhile, Debra’s remains are expected to be transported to her family home in Kampung Semadang, Padawan, Kuching. — The Borneo Post