Mercy flights to send orang asli children to school

GUA MUSANG: Some 240 orang asli students who are stranded at four locations are being transported to their respective schools here by mercy flights arranged by the Fire and Rescue Department's Air Unit.
Air Unit Special Forces commander Supt Hamdan Hamzah said two helicopters were deployed in the three-day mission, beginning today, as roads to the villages were damaged following the rainy season.
"The aircraft involved are the AW139 helicopter which can accommodate six students at one time and the A109E helicopter which can take 11 students on a single flight," he told reporters, here today.
Hamdan said at 10am, the aircraft began transporting 77 students from Pos Balar and Pos Belatim, with each flight taking about 40 minutes.
"Tomorrow, we will ferry 114 students from Pos Bihai and the following day, 51 students from Pos Gob," he added.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Orang Asli Development Department deputy-director Azman Ngadiron said the students would be staying at their respective school hostels.
He expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by the fire department in ensuring the orang asli children did not miss school. — Bernama