Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will accept the findings of the final report on the “Double Six” plane crash with an open heart, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the Federal Cabinet’s decision to declassify the final report on the crash that killed 11 people, including the Berjaya State Government leader Tun Fuad Stephens, in 1976 is a relief.
“This is a relief because it will unravel what actually happened on that day. A relief not only to the family of those who perished in the plane crash but also to the people of Sabah,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
The Chief Minister was commenting on the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar on the Federal Cabinet’s decision to allow the declassification of documents which has been under wraps for 47 years.
“The State Government will accept the findings of the report with an open heart,” he said.
Anwar had said the report on the tragedy which was also dubbed as “Double Six” has been declassified, in accordance with Section 2C of the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88).
“The full report on the Sabah Air crash will be made public next week through an official statement from the government and also the Ministry of Transport,” he said.
He said the decision was made in the interest of the victims’ families as well as the views of the people of Sabah who wanted detailed information about the incident.
Anwar said public disclosure regarding the report was also in line with the policy of openness and transparency practised by the Unity Government.
He said that many questions were raised as the people of Sabah wanted to know the results of the investigation team regarding the accident, after a lapse of 47 years.
“All this while, the government has not decided to make it public,” he said.
Anwar further said that the public will have full access to the documents in a week and, parts of the details will be released in the next two days.
He also said that the government has received advice from the Attorney General Chambers (AGC) on the legal implications of the declassification.
“However, we feel we owe it to the people, more so those in Sabah. I don’t believe findings such as these, which are facts and of concern to the families, state and the public, should be kept as an official secret,” he added.
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