Plane is still flying: Sabah Air
Published on: Monday, June 10, 2024
The remaining Nomad at the Sabah Air hangar similar to the one that crashed. left: Chua
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd Chairman Datuk Kenny Chua said it is willing to surrender the almost 50-year-old remaining Nomad as a historical exhibit at the memorial site.
“Once the Nomad is no longer in service, we will surrender it so it can be preserved as a memorable tribute to the leaders we lost in that accident,” Chua, who was present at the site for the June 6 ceremony, said.
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He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji had also floated this possibility due to the historical importance of the tragedy.
“We have discussed it with him and Jeffrey.”
He also revealed that Sabah Air is still using the plane despite challenges in obtaining spare parts.
“In fact, it is currently performing mapping and surveying work for us in Melaka, which its unique design is well-suited for. We are looking for a new aircraft to replace it.”
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Families of the victims also voiced support for the idea.
Humphrey Chin, nephew of victim Datuk Chong Thien Vun, said it would be “fantastic” to showcase the Australian twin-engine plane at the site.
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“There is no other Nomad left, so I think it is good to put this one on display there,” said Chin, who is part of Sabah’s flying club.
Dominic Chang, another nephew of Chong, said it would serve to educate younger generations about the tragedy in the best way possible since it has been left out of the history books.
Iskandar Sulong, the son of victim Salleh Sulong, who died of heart failure a fortnight ago and Captain Nizam, himself a retired pilot and son of ill-fated Nomad pilot Captain Gandhi Nathan, also earlier supported the idea.
Nizam felt it would be the most appropriate way to remember the tragedy as all there is now is a white pillar that does not mean anything.
He felt that the plane could be placed on a cordoned off special platform and the Museum be tasked to assign a guard to prevent vandalism.
Late Iskandar in an interview last year said placing the remaining Nomad there would serve as a living reminder since there is reluctance to include the incident in the school history books.
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