KUALA LUMPUR: PAS has praised Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin for his swift response in handling the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopter tragedy that claimed the lives of 10 navy personnel on Tuesday (April 23).

Offering condolences to the families of all the victims, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said that the party also welcomed the minister's actions, including cancelling the 90th RMN anniversary celebration scheduled for this Friday and replacing it with a yassin and tahlil prayer ceremony.

"PAS also welcomes his assurance to not only assist in managing the victims' funerals, but also to ensure that all benefits and entitlements due to the widows and families of the victims are provided to look after their welfare.

"While not setting a timeframe for an interim report on the incident, the minister's assurance to deliver it, along with the ministry's decision to establish an investigation board to determine the cause of the tragedy, is an appropriate move and should be expedited without delay," he said in a statement here Wednesday (April 24).

At 9.32am yesterday, two navy helicopters collided mid-air and crashed in Lumut while conducting a third rehearsal for flypast in conjunction with the RMN Fleet Open Day, scheduled to be held this Saturday. - Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/24/defence-minister-did-right-in-handling-of-rmn-copter-tragedy-says-pas