KUCHING: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will not compromise on the safety and welfare of its personnel involved in the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said all aircraft used for the service were subjected to stringent flight safety requirements, while technical aspects concerning the aircraft would be assessed by the relevant technical team.
“Certainly. Matters relating to technical aspects and safety are areas where we do not compromise at all.
“The aircraft are continuously subjected to stringent criteria in terms of flight safety and other requirements,” he said.
He said this during a live press conference regarding the helicopter incident involving the MOH Flying Doctor Service (FDS) at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, today (Sept 9).
Dr Dzulkefly was responding to claims that the helicopter involved in the FDS crash at Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport), Ulu Baram was an old aircraft.
He said the technical team would be able to provide the appropriate explanation regarding the aircraft and its safety aspects.
“But we do not compromise when it comes to the safety of our staff,” he assured.
On claims circulating on social media that the FDS allowance was only RM30, Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry had already raised the matter with the relevant authorities.
He said MOH had proposed an increase to the Flying Doctor allowance as part of efforts to improve the welfare of its personnel.
“We raised this matter last year, in November 2025, and we are confident that we will receive a positive response from the relevant authorities.
“We know that we need to provide what is appropriate. We raised the issue of this allowance at an early stage and have already brought it forward,” he said.
Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry would provide an update once a decision was received from the relevant authorities.
