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Chief of Defence Forces Gen Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor wants a comprehensive investigation into the crash of a Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft in Penang today.

Contacted by Bernama, he said the RMAF would set up a special team to probe the crash of the Beechcraft B200T plane near the munitions terminal of the Butterworth airbase at 5.18pm.

“I am on my way to the crash site. I have yet to get all the details,” he said.

Raja Mohamed Affandi expressed his sadness over the incident and hoped that the families of those involved would exercise patience.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak expressed his condolence to the family of the pilot who was killed in the crash in Butterworth today.

In his latest Twitter posting, Najib said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted on the incident.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also expressed sadness over the crash.

In a post on his Twitter account, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, asked the family members of those involved in the incident to exercise patience.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, in a post on his Twitter account, said he had instructed the Chief of Air Force Gen Affendi Buang to oversee the investigation into the crash.

“I have instructed the chief of air force to personally monitor (the probe),” he tweeted.

According to the RMAF official portal, the ill-fated aircraft had been used for maritime surveillance by the 16 Squadron based at the Subang airbase.

The main task of the 16 Squadron is to provide early warning and immediately report the identification of vessels in territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The squadron also monitors and reports on the activities at oil rigs and fishing zones, monitors and patrols occupied and claimed reefs, and monitors and reports on the infiltration of illegal immigrants and also activities that contribute to marine pollution.

The 16 Squadron has greatly assisted government agencies to reduce crime and smuggling in the EEZ.

- Bernama

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