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DR Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, a doctor among five people killed in a Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak, had returned to the state just two days earlier after spending a week with her family in Kelantan.
Her father, Kamaruddin Salleh, 69, said the family was devastated after learning that the helicopter carrying Ainul had crashed.
“My daughter had only returned to Sarawak two days ago after spending a week here. Today, we received news that the helicopter she was travelling in had crashed and that she had died,” he said when contacted.
Ainul, the fourth of five siblings, had been working as a permanent doctor for about two years and was attached to a hospital in Miri.
Kamaruddin said he first received a call from his son-in-law informing him that the helicopter had crashed and that Ainul’s condition was still unknown.
“Initially, I received a call from my in-law informing me that the helicopter she was on had crashed and that her condition was still unknown.
“Later, I received a second call informing me that my daughter had died.
“My wife, Rogayah Mohd Noor, 69, was devastated upon receiving the news and we were at a loss for words.
“My wife and I have yet to travel to Sarawak as she is unwell and has existing health problems,” he said on Tuesday.
He said Ainul’s siblings and her in-laws would travel to Kuala Lumpur before continuing their journey to Sarawak the following morning.
Describing his daughter as quiet and kind-hearted, Kamaruddin said she was always willing to help the family.
“During her week back in the village, Ainul took us out several times,” he said.
Ainul’s sister-in-law, Nureez Mohd Pauzi, also confirmed her death in a Facebook post following the crash.
“The Health Ministry helicopter carrying my sister-in-law crashed in Miri. I am getting ready to head to the airport,” she wrote.
She later posted a video of herself boarding a flight to Sarawak.
Earlier, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that four Health Ministry personnel and a pilot were aboard the helicopter.
The healthcare personnel comprised a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses, who were carrying out duties under the Flying Doctor Service programme.
All five people on board were killed.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said it received notification of the crash from Flight Information Services at 3.58pm.
“The Air Accident Investigation Bureau, under the Transport Ministry, will investigate the incident,” it said.
Initial information from Miri Airport Fire and Rescue Services indicated that the BO-105 helicopter, registered as 9M-LLF, had taken off from Miri before crashing near the end of the airstrip at Long Lellang STOLport.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said a search and rescue team had been deployed to the crash site, which is in a remote area about 10 hours by road from Marudi.
“Air services by helicopter cannot be used at the moment because of hazy conditions, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has not permitted flights from the Kuching police air base.
“The search and rescue operation currently depends on assistance from local villagers, Rela personnel and Long Lellang STOLport auxiliary police,” he said in a statement.
“The helicopter belonged to a private company and was hired for a Flying Doctor Service to Ba Lai, Long Siut and Long Lellang,” he added.
Long Lellang STOLport, about 310km from Miri, serves remote communities in the area, including Kelabit and Penan settlements.
The STOLport is located next to Long Lellang village.
A video circulating online appeared to show a helicopter with its engine on fire shortly before the crash. - September 9, 2026
