KUALA LUMPUR: A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) must be set up to find out the cause of the recent tragic helicopter crash in Lumut, said the Alliance for a Safe Community.
Its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said this action needs to be taken to determine the action needed to prevent a repeat of such needless tragedies.
"The RCI must conduct its investigation in an open and transparent manner, leaving no stone unturned and no neglect or shortcoming, if any, unexposed.
"We have to quickly get to the truth and the actual cause of the tragedy. Considering the seriousness of the tragedy, setting up a board of inquiry, as has been announced, is not sufficient."
Lee said a comprehensive investigation should involve gathering evidence from the crash site, analysing flight data recorders, interviewing witnesses, if any, and seeking expert advice from aviation experts, engineers and meteorologists.
"We have to know whether it was due to nature or human factors or mechanical issues. Leave it entirely to the members of the Commission to investigate and come out with the findings.
"Only then can we strengthen our existing aviation regulations to ensure they are robust enough to prevent repeat tragedies."
Meanwhile, Lee said adequate support should be provided to the families of victims, including counselling services and financial assistance.
He praised the good effort of Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who pledged RM10,000 each as preliminary assistance to the families of the Lumut crash victims.
"It is hoped that such assistance will be continued with counselling and further support in the days and years ahead."
Lee said collaboration among government agencies, aviation authorities, airlines and industry stakeholders is essential for implementing comprehensive safety measures.
"Regular meetings, conferences, and forums should be held to exchange best practices, share lessons learned, and foster a culture of safety across the aviation sector.
"We have to quickly learn the right lessons from the past tragedies to show us the right way to save lives in the future."
On April 23, 10 people were killed when two Malaysian Armed Forces helicopters collided mid-air at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base in Lumut, Perak.
