The pilot manoeuvres the helicopter for the emergency landing on Meradong-Julau District Council football field in Bintangor.
Dr Sim (right) at the grandstand of the football field.
BINTANGOR: A helicopter carrying Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had to perform an emergency landing on Meradong-Julau District Council football field here late yesterday.
It is reported that the pilot had to manoeuvre immediate, unscheduled landing due to bad weather.
According to a local reporter of Utusan Borneo – The Borneo Post’s sister daily – the helicopter was heading to Sibu from Kuching.
It is said that the minister was on his way to Sibu to attend an official function there yesterday.
On his Facebook update posted after incident, Dr Sim remarked that ‘it was a good weather when we took off from Kuching’.
Moreover, he said the pilot – whom he regarded as ‘very experienced’ – decided not to take risk after trying a few directions.
“Continued the rest of journey from Bintangor to Sibu by car (allowing me to chit-chat with some school-children who came to have a look at the helicopter and an unexpected cup of ‘kopi’ with some party (SUPP) members – nowadays, you can’t hide when wearing yellow shirt!” Dr Sim wrote on his posting.
He also said it was the second time in one month that he had to do ‘hybrid journey’ – starting with helicopter but ending with car.
He then remarked: “This shows how difficult (it is) to travel in Sarawak because of the distance. Solutions — better infrastructure, better connectivity!”