LABUAN: The promised declassification of the Double Six Nomad aircraft crash findings by the Anwar-led Unity Government deserves commendation as no previous government took Sabahans seriously.
“It also reflects the new government’s promise to be more responsible and transparent,” said George Elias who lost his cousin Datuk Peter Mojutin in the tragedy on June 6, 1976.
He said doubt 46 years had passed and many of the relatives and friends who perished in the flight had also departed but “the anguish still lingered among thousands as could be seen by the burst of emotions every year when a commemorative event is held at the site of the crash.”
The Daily Express’ award winning team of journalists presents ‘Double Six: The Untold Stories’, a documentary on the plane crash in Sabah (East Malaysia) killing the newly-elected Chief Minister of Sabah Tun Mohd Fuad Stephens, four state ministers and six others on June 6th, 1976. After 46 years the findings of the crash also known to many as The Double Six Tragedy have not been disclosed. Note: This series unravels information not previously available to the public, but does not in any way attribute blame for the crash on any party.
He hoped the new government would also be transparent on other issues and continue to heed the voices of the rakyat.
“I am sure the Nomad findings will be of interest to other countries which had bought the Australian-made plane.”
He noted that the decision to declassify the report came after a front page report in the Daily Express two weeks ago
regretting the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ decision to appeal the High Court decision ordering the Government to declassify the report.
Local historian Willie Teo echoing similar views lauded the Daily Express for vigorously pursuing the issue even though many had given up after 47 years.
Willie felt the long-running weekly series unearthing new facts about the crash kept the issue very much alive.
He said the crash was of great historical importance as it claimed the lives of charismatic state leaders who, if alive today, may have charted a different course for the island and Sabah.
“Perhaps Labuan would not have even been handed over to the Federal Government for free and for which people in Sabah and Labuan are regretting.”
He said the Nomad crash was of special interest to Labuan because the aircraft took off from Labuan.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
