PETALING JAYA: The Sabah government will accept the findings of the report on the fatal 1976 plane crash dubbed the “Double Six tragedy” with an open heart, says chief minister Hajiji Noor.
“(The report’s declassification) is a relief because what actually transpired on the day of the crash will be revealed. It’s a relief not just for the families (of the victims) but also for all Sabahans.”
Hajiji was commenting on the government’s decision to declassify the report on the plane crash that claimed the lives of then Sabah chief minister Fuad Stephens and 10 others, including state ministers.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the transport ministry would release the report next week, adding that this was in line with the unity government’s principle on transparency.
Last month, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ordered Putrajaya to declassify the report on the plane crash, popularly known as the “Double Six tragedy”.
Justice Christopher Chin issued an order to compel the government to make public the documents on the crash and gave Putrajaya until June 8 to comply. The ruling by Chin was for a lawsuit filed by former Sabah chief minister Harris Salleh.
Following the incident, the Australian GAF Nomad manufacturer and the Australian department of transport launched an investigation to prove that the crash was not due to mechanical issues.
The investigation was completed some four months later, but the full report was not made public. Instead, it was classified under the Official Secrets Act.
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