KUCHING – Five Flying Doctor Service (FDS) personnel who died in a helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, on 8 September have been named as recipients of the Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (P.B.S.) award posthumously as part of the 2026 Sarawak State Awards and Honours.
The recipients are the late Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, Alexson Adit Henry, Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok.
The recognition acknowledges their service while carrying out duties to deliver healthcare to communities, particularly those living in Sarawak’s remote interior.
The awards will be conferred in conjunction with the 80th birthday celebration of Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
The five names have been included among the recipients of the state honours, recognising their contributions to public service.
The helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, claimed the lives of all five personnel on 8 September. Their work with the FDS involved supporting healthcare delivery in areas where geographical barriers and long distances can make access to medical facilities difficult.
The FDS provides an important link between healthcare services and communities in isolated parts of Sarawak.
By bringing medical personnel to locations that may be difficult to reach by road, the service helps residents obtain medical attention without having to travel long distances to larger towns.
For many settlements in the state’s interior, geographical conditions can complicate journeys to hospitals and clinics.
Air transport can therefore play a significant role in connecting these communities with healthcare providers, particularly where conventional transport options are limited.
The posthumous P.B.S. awards recognise the five personnel’s contributions in the course of their duties. Their inclusion in the state honours also highlights the role of frontline public service personnel who work to maintain access to essential services for people living beyond major urban centres.
The recognition comes within the broader context of Sarawak’s annual state honours, which acknowledge individuals for their service and contributions. The investiture forms part of the official programme associated with the governor’s birthday celebration.
While the awards are being conferred after the recipients’ deaths, the recognition places their service to the public on record as part of the state’s formal honours.
Their work with the Flying Doctor Service reflects the operational importance of reaching communities where distance and terrain can present significant challenges to healthcare access.
The announcement honours the five personnel for their service to Sarawak’s communities, particularly those in the remote interior who depend on outreach services to obtain medical care.
Their posthumous recognition at the 2026 state honours investiture marks the state’s acknowledgement of their contributions. â Sarawak Daily
