KUCHING: Members of the public are urged to keep calm and not let imagination take flight following the circulation of a photo that allegedly shows a Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flying over Saratok – a sighting that has set social media abuzz.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin weighed in on the unexpected online frenzy, cautioning that speculation without facts only fuels confusion and unnecessary alarm.
The photo, first shared on the r/Sarawak subreddit by a user who claimed it was snapped by a friend, sent netizens into overdrive, with many questioning if a US stealth bomber had somehow breached Malaysian airspace.
Lee, however, was quick to pour cold water on the theory.
“If it really was a B-2 bomber — which runs on four jet engines producing over 17,000 pounds of thrust each — the entire town would have heard a deafening noise if flying at the altitude shown in the photo.
“But in this case, there was no sound. That speaks volumes,” he said.
Citing information from aviation authorities, Lee said the object was most likely a remote-controlled aircraft or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), both of which are now common for recreational and commercial use.
He reminded the public that while such mysterious sightings naturally stir curiosity, it is crucial to respond with logic rather than letting viral content dictate the narrative.
“Any sighting of unidentified flying objects should be immediately reported to the relevant authorities, especially the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the police.
“Instead of speculating online, they should assist the authorities by providing as much relevant information as possible.
“This includes photos, videos, details of the object (size, colour, sound, behaviours), and even weather conditions can help us analyse what was actually seen,” he said.
Individuals who witness such events, are advised to stay at a safe distance, particularly if the object exhibits strange or unpredictable behaviour as public safety should always be the top priority.
Lee also encouraged Malaysians to familiarise themselves with common aerial phenomena such as drones, weather balloons, and remote-controlled planes to avoid misidentifying them and to promote more responsible reporting.
