SERIAN: Following the tragic incident involving two helicopters at the Lumut Naval Base in Perak last Tuesday, the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) operations in Sabah and Perak will be restructured.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said that this restructuring was essential to ensure the nation’s sovereignty and securities were maintained.
“The Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob will reorganise, as we have lost two assets and the biggest loss is the 10 national heroes.
“That’s why we will rearrange the requirements because they are related to Sabah and also Lumut,” he told reporters after the ‘Peduli Veteran Madani’ programme at Serian Community Hall today (Apr 27).
The incident involved an HOM-AW139 helicopter crashing onto the RMN Lumut Stadium field, while a Fennec aircraft crashed into the RMN Lumut Sports Complex swimming pool.
Casualties included Squadron 502’s commanding officer, Commander Muhamad Amir Mohamad; Lieutenant T Sivasutan, a pilot with the same squadron; and Warrant Officer Il Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi, an air quartermaster from Squadron 502.
Also among the deceased were Squadron 503’s commanding officer, Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli; Lt Commander Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Zainal Abidin, an air tactical officer; and Lt Commander Mohammad Amirulfaris Mohd Marzukhi, an air quartermaster, along with Warrant Officer I Muhammad Faisol Tamadun.
The three female victims were Leading Seaman I Joanna Felicia anak Rohna from the Naval Air Base, Warrant Officer Il Norfarahimi Saedy from the West Armada Supply Depot, and Petty Officer Nor Rahiza Anuar, also from the West Armada Supply Depot.
