S’wak govt to sponsor education of Long Lellang heli crash victims’ children through PhD level

Abang Johari (third left) presents a mock cheque to Then, husband of the late Debra, during the Sarawak government’s contribution ceremony for the next-of-kin of victims of the FDS helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex in Petra Jaya, Kuching, on Oct 16, 2026.

By Christine T

KUCHING, Oct 16: Sarawak will fully sponsor the education of children of the five personnel killed in the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, from Year One through to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level.

The Sarawak government today presented RM100,000 to each of the five families of personnel killed in the helicopter crash, totalling RM500,000, along with Yayasan Sarawak education sponsorships to support their children’s continued schooling.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the assistance was part of the State’s commitment to support the bereaved families, while acknowledging that financial aid could never replace their lost loved ones.

“The loss of their family members is far greater than that. They can never be replaced,” he said during the contribution ceremony held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex in Petra Jaya here today.

He said the sponsorships would help cover the children’s school fees and education expenses through university.

The five recipients were Nor Izzati Syamimi Suhaimi, wife of the late Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, a pilot with Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd; Mohd Faiz Ab Malek, husband of the late Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, a medical officer; Stephanie Essah Incham, wife of the late Alexson Adit Henry, an assistant medical officer; John Then Hua Ken, husband of the late Debra Moset, a nurse; and Larry Bilong Kule, husband of the late Jessie Paya Jok, also a nurse.

Among the families, Stephanie’s husband left behind two children aged two and five, while the late Debra and Jessie also each left behind two children.

Abang Johari also said the State had offered support to one of the victims’ wives, a graduate working at Curtin University, to help her continue her professional career and support her family.

The helicopter crash occurred on Sept 8 near the end of the runway at the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing airport (STOLport) in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, claiming the lives of all five personnel on board.

In recognition of their service and sacrifice, all five victims were posthumously awarded the Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (P.B.S.) medal during the 80th birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak on Oct 10.

The presentation ceremony was attended by Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Federal Secretary of Sarawak Dato Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan; and representatives from relevant departments and agencies. — DayakDaily