SNAPSHOT | Remains of heli crash to be handed over to families; Floods: M'sia seeks Nepal's nod to send DNA samples to KL

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

Latest:

Prove you can do better on subsidy, Mahfuz tells Zahid; NGOs urged to end ties with Harapan

2pm

FDS helicopter crash

- The remains of all five victims of the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang are expected to be handed over to their families today after DNA testing was completed.

Sarawak police commissioner Zainal Abdullah said the handover would take place once the necessary documentation was completed.

“Today, we will hand over the victims’ remains. Once the documentation is completed, the remains will be handed over to their families,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

The BO-105 helicopter operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace crashed near the end of the Long Lellang STOLport runway at about 3.40pm on Tuesday, killing all five people on board.

They were pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry; and nurses Jessie Paya Jok and Debra Moset.

- The respective families are making funeral arrangements for the five victims, Bernama reported.

Alexson Adit Henry's remains will be buried at the Anglican Cemetery in Lambir after a religious service at the Good Shepherd Church in Lutong at 9am, Tuesday.

His younger sister, Annastasia Luyah, reportedly said that a final tribute ceremony would be held this Monday at their family home in Taman Desa Senadin, Miri.

Final tribute ceremonies for the two nurses will also be held, with Jessie Paya Jok’s at Taman Wang Lusut, Miri, and Debra Moset’s at Kampung Semadang in Padawan, Kuching. Their burial dates have yet to be announced.

Dr Ainul Baraah is expected to be buried at the Sri Kedeper Muslim Cemetery in Kelantan, while Zainol Afiq will be buried in Negeri Sembilan.

Nepal floods

Malaysia is seeking Nepal’s approval to send DNA samples taken from victims of the devastating floods there to Kuala Lumpur to speed up identification efforts, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said.

The Umno deputy president said DNA samples had already been taken from the immediate family members of 55 Malaysians who remain unaccounted for, while Malaysia had also offered to send DNA experts to Nepal.

“What we are also discussing is whether we can send DNA experts there to examine the samples, or ask them to send the samples already taken from the victims here,” Mohamad (below) told reporters on the sidelines of Umno’s annual general assembly at World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Mohamad said Malaysia was still awaiting Nepal’s response, while its embassy in Kathmandu was also seeking documentation to help the families of the 55 missing Malaysians deal with matters such as insurance.

He added that Nepal’s search operations were continuing, with about 5,000 people in total still unaccounted for, while Malaysia’s Smart team was expected to return home today or tomorrow.

Prisoner release

The Prisons Department has rejected claims of double standards over former Sabah infrastructure minister Peter Anthony’s release under the Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL).

It said Peter (below) was considered for the programme only after meeting the stipulated eligibility period and undergoing the same screening and assessment process applied to other prisoners.

“Claims that release under PBSL is granted based on differential treatment or double standards are inaccurate,” the department said in a statement today.

It stressed that PBSL does not cancel, shorten or reduce a court-imposed sentence.

Those released under the programme continue serving the remainder of their sentence in the community under conditions, supervision and monitoring imposed by the department.

Domestic violence

A total of 4,646 domestic violence cases were recorded nationwide from January to July this year, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying said.

“Domestic violence does not only involve physical abuse, but can also take the form of emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse,” Lim (below) said in Johor Bahru today after officiating the Advocacy Programme for Women’s Well-being @ Domestic Violence (Aku Wanita @ KRT) and the 2026 Johor PRISMAnita Open Day organised by the Women’s Development Department.

According to Bernama, Lim reminded that controlling a person’s movements and relationships could also constitute abuse.

She said such cases often begin with excessive control, threats or humiliation, and urged the public to recognise early warning signs.

Lim added that victims could seek help through the 24-hour Talian Kasih hotline at 15999, WhatsApp at 019-2615999, or by visiting state Women’s Development Offices or the nearest police station.

Previously at 11am | Anwar, Putin discuss expanding economic ties; Rosmah disappointed with Najib's pardon hearing deferment

Nepal disaster: M'sian families fear dwindling chances of finding missing loved ones alive

Nepal floods: 55 Malaysians still uncontactable - Wisma Putra