Kota Kinabalu: Two Sabah leaders called for greater federal participation and recognition of the Double Six tragedy, which claimed the lives of 11 people in a Nomad plane crash on 6.6.1976, including Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and half of his newly-elected Berjaya Cabinet.
State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin suggested that representatives from the Federal Government be invited to future memorials, particularly the 50th anniversary next year.
He was representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the event, Friday.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Speaking at a press conference after the memorial ceremony on Friday, Ellron said broader involvement from the national level would reflect the importance of the tragedy not only to Sabah but also the nation’s political history.
The secrecy imposed on the findings into the crash was lifted by both the Malaysian and Australian governments after 46 years in 2022 by consent of the Anwar administration following a special series of investigative reports by Daily Express, which won for its Editor James Sarda and Senior reporter Sherell Jeffrey the naugural National Investigative Journalism Award by the Malaysian Press Institute.
A special Youtube video documentary was also produced by Dexter Yeh, on behalf of Daily Express.
The findings pointed to pilot error and overloading as likely causes. It also confirmed that Johari Stephens, a son of Fuad, was in the co-pilot seat, despite it being a VVIP flight.
Two major events that followed almost immediately after the tragedy was the signing of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) with Sabah being the final signatory.
It vested ownership of Sabah’s oil and gas resources on Petronas and the state receiving 5pc royalty from the sales.
Secondly, the status of Sabah and Sarawak was also reduced from that of equal partners with Malaya and Singapore at the time of Malaysia’s formation to that of one of the 14 states.
However, the equal status was restored by the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri through a federal constitution amendment in 2022. Both controversial measures were effected during the Tun Hussein Onn administration.
Ellron also called for greater youth engagement, saying young people should be made aware of the sacrifices and history tied to the tragedy.
This year, a poetry competition was held as part of the commemoration which drew 132 entries from budding writers.
“It’s encouraging to see such enthusiasm. But moving forward, we should involve secondary school and university students more directly in the annual event,” Ellron said.
The memorial ceremony, organised by City Hall (DBKK), drew attendees from various backgrounds including state leaders, city officials, family members of the victims and members of the public.
Wreaths were laid at the Double Six Monument, followed by a moment of silence to honour the 11 lives lost.
Also present were State Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy State Assembly Speaker Datuk Richard Yong We Kong and other state officials.
The Nomad aircraft crashed into the sea near Kampung Sembulan, just two km from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, shortly after departing from Labuan.
Meanwhile at a separate remembrance event in Donggonggon, Penampang, one of the sons of Datuk Peter Mojuntin, who was among the victims, hoped the tragedy would be included in school textbooks.
Datuk Donald Mojuntin said the younger generation should understand the significance of the event.
“It changed the course of Sabah’s leadership, and should be acknowledged in Malaysian history books so that future generations know what happened on this date,” he said.
The remembrance ceremony took place at the statue of Peter, where some present said June 6 should also be declared a public holiday.
Donald stressed the need for federal recognition, saying the tragedy should not only be remembered by Sabahans but acknowledged by all Malaysians.
He also proposed the setting up of a foundation to support the education of native Sabahans.
Donald suggested that monetary contributions or funding be directed toward the Foundation to assist Sabah students in pursuing higher studies.
“In remembering Double Six, we are also helping the new generation continue their education with the foundation being realised,” he said.
He thanked the state government for its continuous support in ensuring the well-being of victims’ families, particularly those seeking education opportunities.
“All we want is for this incident to be recognised. The federal government should consider officially acknowledging it and channelling funding into the Foundation dedicated in assisting needy families in Sabah so they can further their studies,” he said.
