Helicopter missing in Sarawak (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: A helicopter carrying VIPs, including a deputy minister, was reported missing while it was en route from Betong to Kuching in Sarawak.
Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said the helicopter left SMK Spaoh in Betong at 4.12pm and should have arrived in Kuching about 5pm.
"We lost contact (with the helicopter) this evening, we have sent out a search and rescue party at 7.26pm," Azharuddin told theSun.
Reports indicated the helicopter was carrying Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and Kuala Kangsar MP Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad.
The helicopter is believed to be piloted by Captain Rudolf Rex Ragas, and other passengers included Noriah's husband Asmuni Abdullah, the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, and Noriah's personal bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun.
At a press conference near midnight, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Seri Muhammad Sabtu Osman said more than 100 personnel were involved in the search in Sri Aman, Simunjan, and Betong.
He said the search party consists of personnel from the General Operations Force, marine police, police, Civil Defence Department, Fire and Rescue Department and Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
He said the search party was relying on the DCA to give clear and accurate information regarding the estimated location where contact with the helicopter was lost.
Muhammad Sabtu said it was raining and the sky overcast when the helicopter was reported missing.
He refuted rumours that the helicopter had landed safely in Sri Aman.
He said the identities of the five on board including the pilot cannot be verified as of yet.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said on Facebook and Twitter that he was deeply concerned about the matter.
"Deeply concerned about reports of helicopter missing between Betong and Kuching. Search and rescue activated. Let us pray for their safety," Najib posted.
In a Facebook post, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he had ordered the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the army to participate in the search and rescue mission.
Hishammuddin also extended both his and his family's prayers to those on board along with Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who posted his prayers on Facebook as well.
In a Twitter post, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had mobilised the General Operations Force and the marine police to investigate the helicopter's disappearance.
Below are some helicopter incidents involving VIPs in Malaysia over the past 27 years.
» Dec 18, 1989: A Nuri helicopter carrying 16 army officers, including Maj-Jen Datuk Mustaffa Awang and Brig-Jen Datuk Hasbullah Yussoff, crashes in bad weather near Sungai Lundu, Sarawak, killing all on board.
» April 4, 2015: A helicopter carrying Rompin MP Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis, the special envoy to the US and a former federal minister, and the prime minister's private secretary Datuk Seri Azlin Alias crashed near Kampung Pasir Baru in Semenyih, killing all six on board. The helicopter was en route from Pekan, Pahang to the Subang Airport, Selangor, carrying passengers who just left the wedding reception of Najib's daughter.
» May 1, 2016: The door of a helicopter carrying Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim suddenly flung open in mid-flight from Sibu Airport to Kampung Igan. Rohani and her aide hold the door in place for about 10 minutes before landing safely.