Miri: Two of the five victims of Tuesday's helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Miri, Sarawak were contributors to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), making their dependants eligible for monthly benefits.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan announced that the dependants of the late helicopter pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30, are eligible for Dependants' Benefit (FOT) totalling RM5,355 a month. The dependants of the late medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, 33, are also eligible for a monthly survivors' pension.
Zainol Afiq, who worked with Rotorwing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, had contributed under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) from January 2018 to August 2026. His dependants are eligible for FOT totalling RM5,355 a month, with RM3,213 going to his wife, Nor Izzati Syamimi Suhaimi, 31, and RM2,142 to their two children. His wife will receive the spouse's share for life, while their two children, Adelia Sofia, six, and Ian Zayn, one, will receive their share until they turn 21 or complete their first degree. Additionally, Zainol Afiq's wife is entitled to a Funeral Benefit (FPM) of RM3,000.
Meanwhile, Dr Ainul Baraah, from Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, had contributed to PERKESO from June 2019 to August 2024. Her husband, Muhammad Faiz Abdul Malik, a teacher, is eligible for a survivors' pension of RM1,574.10 a month for life, as well as an FPM of RM3,000. The Funeral Benefit payments were handed over to the families of both victims in Miri yesterday.
For the other three victims, Alexson Adit Henry, Jessie Paya Jok, and Debra Moset, a review of their contribution records found that they either did not meet the eligibility requirements or had no contributions qualifying them for PERKESO's periodic pension benefits. The BO-105 helicopter, operating a Flying Doctor Service (FDS) mission, crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-off and Landing Airport (STOLport) in Ulu Baram, about 929 kilometres from Kuching, killing all five people onboard.