JOHOR BAHRU, July 10 — Two of the five police personnel involved in this morning’s helicopter crash during the Multilateral Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (Mitsatom 2025) in Gelang Patah, Johor, are reported to be in critical condition and require respiratory assistance.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the other three victims are in stable condition and being treated at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru.
All five received immediate medical attention from specialist doctors at the hospital shortly after the incident.
“Alhamdulillah, with the help and expertise of the specialists at HSA, I believe we can provide them with the best possible treatment. We pray for their recovery and hope they can return to duty as usual, God willing,” he told Bernama when at the HSA.
Three of the victims are members of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Air Wing Unit, while the other two are attached to the Tanjung Kupang police station.
Commenting on claims that the helicopter was an ageing asset, Khalid said age is not a major factor if proper maintenance is carried out.
“Being old is not a problem. What matters is that maintenance is done well. What happened was something beyond our control,” he said, adding that the police will look after the welfare of all the personnel involved and their families.
The AS355N helicopter belonging to PDRM crashed into the waters near the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency jetty during an honour flypast held as part of the MITSATOM 2025 exercise involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said the helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG had departed from Tanjung Kupang police station at 9.51 am with five people on board, including the pilot.
Further investigations will be conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau, under the Transport Ministry, per Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim identified the five victims as ACP Faizul Mohammad (the helicopter pilot), Supt Ahmad Bustamin Baharom (co-pilot), Corporal Adeline Liu Yan Siu (air observer), Sergeant Siti Latipa Khairuddin (Tanjung Kupang police station), and Constable R.G. Devendran (Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters).
PDRM has also set up an internal investigation team to assist the Air Accident Investigation Bureau in probing the crash.
He said PDRM will also establish a committee to assess the current use of the helicopter by the PDRM Air Operations Force (PGU).
“A committee will be appointed immediately to conduct a holistic evaluation specifically on the AS355N helicopter, considering its service duration of over 28 years, reduced capabilities, and other technical factors,” Azmi said when contacted.
He said the five personnel were conducting training to test the effectiveness of the country's preparedness and response in dealing with nuclear security incidents involving the smuggling of radioactive and nuclear materials across land and sea borders.
Meanwhile, Khalid advised the public not to speculate or circulate videos of the incident, as this could interfere with the investigation or affect the sensitivities of the victims’ families.
“Any further information will be communicated from time to time through PDRM’s official channels,” he said in a statement.
— Bernama
