DAP Sarawak has joined in the calls for an investigation into the July 12 helicopter crash in the Bario highlands, to cover both the search operations and the maintenance of state-owned Hornbill Skyways fleet of aircraft.

The Bell 206 Lone Ranger helicopter that crashed on the Gunung Murud's forested foothills a few kilometers from Bario claimed seven lives, including that of Assistant Minister Dr Judson Tagal.

Last year, another of the company's helicopters had crashed in Baram, killing the head of the Borneo Evangelical Church Rev Katib.

Bandar Kuching member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen, who is DAP Sarawak secretary, told malaysiakini today that the government should also publish a White Paper to be tabled both in Parliament and the state legislative assembly on the two crashes.

He said a full and detailed investigation would provide answers to a lot of questions on the causes of the incidents and allay concerns regarding the maintenance record of the company's aircraft.

Unreasonable delay

On the July 12 incident, he said the wreckage of the helicopter had been found only a few kilometers from where it took off and that it had not strayed from the planned route.

"Why was it not discovered earlier? That would have prevented much of the ordeal faced by the families. Early discovery might have saved some lives, assuming everyone did not die instantly," he said.

To a question, Chong said suspending the company's services pending investigation would be too drastic.

He said it was unreasonable that the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) report on the July 2003 Baram crash has not been completed even after a year.

Chong said the report into the latest incident should cover the operations and maintenance of Hornbill Skyways' aircraft. Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy has set a deadline of a month for the probe to be completed.

So far the state government has not responded to calls from several quarters, including members of the Orang Ulu community, for an independent public inquiry.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan, who was in charge of the 18-day search-and-rescue operations, was quoted today as saying the government would leave it to the DCA to probe the crash.

He also said the government was mulling the idea of purchasing high-tech equipment to assist future search-and-rescue operations, given the difficult and mountainous terrain in Sarawak.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini 's correspondent based in Kuching.