Latest news with #KotaKinabaluAirport
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Students may be invited to 50th Double Six memorial, says minister
Ellron paying his last respects at the Double Six monument. KOTA KINABALU (June 6): Students from schools and universities may be invited to participate in the 50th Double Six memorial ceremony next year, said State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin. He said the proposal came after discussions with state leaders and the families of the victims of the 1976 tragedy. 'We are also suggesting that a representative from the federal government be invited to the occasion so that we can collectively commemorate the tragedy and reflect on the historical context of Sabah's political past,' he said. Ellron, who is also the Sook assemblyman, made the announcement during a press conference held at the 49th Double Six remembrance ceremony at the memorial site in Sembulan today. He also highlighted the positive response to a poetry competition held in conjunction with the event, which drew 132 participants, reflecting strong public interest and artistic engagement. The Double Six tragedy, which occurred on June 6, 1976, involved the crash of a Sabah Air GAF N-22B Nomad aircraft just three kilometres from the then Kota Kinabalu Airport. The crash claimed the lives of 11 people, including Sabah's fifth Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and six other state ministers. Those who perished were: Tun Fuad Stephens (Chief Minister), Datuk Salleh Sulong (State Finance Minister), Datuk Peter Mojuntin (Local Government and Housing Minister), Datuk Chong Tien Vun (State Works and Communication Minister), Datuk Darius Binion (Assistant Minister to Deputy Chief Minister), Datuk Wahid Peter Andu (Permanent Secretary to the State Finance Ministry), Dr Syed Hussein Wafa (Director of State Economic Planning Unit), Ishak Atan (Private Secretary to the then Federal Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah), Corporal Said Mohammad (bodyguard to Tun Fuad) and Captain Gandhi J. Nathan (pilot).
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Families urge government to mark Double Six tragedy with foundation
KOTA KINABALU: Family members have called on the government to properly recognise the Double Six tragedy, urging the creation of a foundation to support the education of those affected, as the incident marks its 49th anniversary today. One of the family members, Datuk Donald Mojuntin, said the federal government could establish a fund dedicated to the families of the 11 victims. "For us, as representatives of the victims' families, recognition can come in many forms," he said. "And I believe through a foundation, we can help the victims' families' children with their education and other matters. "This is the way forward," Donald said. The crash occurred on June 6, 1976, when a GAF Nomad aircraft carrying members of Sabah's top leadership went down while attempting to land at Kota Kinabalu Airport. All 11 people on board were killed, including the then Chief Minister of Sabah, Tun Fuad Stephens, Finance Minister Datuk Salleh Sulong, and several senior state officials. The incident reshaped Sabah's leadership and, nearly five decades on, remains a painful memory with questions still unanswered. Donald also hoped the air disaster would be formally acknowledged as part of the nation's history. "Even though this is a dark chapter in Sabah's history, it should still be included in history books, just like other incidents that have occurred in Sabah and across Malaysia," he said.
