FDS crash victims’ posthumous awards bring pride, sorrow to widow

KUCHING: The posthumous conferment of Sarawak state honours on the five victims of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter tragedy has brought both pride and sorrow to the family of one of the deceased.

Stephanie Essah Incham, widow of assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, expressed her appreciation to the Sarawak Government for recognising the service and sacrifices of her late husband and his colleagues.

In a Facebook post today (Oct 10), she shared a news report announcing that all five victims had been posthumously awarded the Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (PBS) in recognition of their service and sacrifices.

The awards were among the Sarawak state honours announced in conjunction with the 80th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

“Congratulations daddy and team. We are so proud of you five. Our real heroes. Our unsung heroes received their award,” she wrote.

Stephanie praised the Sarawak Government for remembering the contributions of those who had dedicated themselves to serving communities in remote areas.

She also expressed gratitude for the RM100,000 in educational assistance provided by the state government for the crash victims’ children, describing it as meaningful support for their future.

“Well, Sarawak people know how to appreciate their people,” she said.

However, her appreciation was accompanied by renewed frustration over what she perceived as a lack of communication from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“But where is MOH? Still silent as though nothing has happened,” she wrote.

Her remarks came as the victims’ families continued to seek clarification from the ministry regarding compensation, welfare assistance and other benefits following the tragedy.

In a separate open statement, Stephanie had urged the ministry to communicate directly with the next of kin and provide clearer information on the assistance available to them.

She said that while no award or financial assistance could replace the lives lost, recognition and continued support were important to the families.