Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. – Bernama file photo

MIRI (Sept 13): The Sarawak government will fully fund the education of Euodia, whose mother Debra Moset was among five people killed in the helicopter crash at Long Lellang in Ulu Baram, until she becomes a doctor.

Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the decision was made after he read the girl’s post about being determined to study hard and become a doctor to honour her late mother’s sacrifice.

“Today, I read about a child who lost her mother.

“Her mother, named Debra, was a nurse.

“For her daughter Euodia, the Sarawak government will bear the cost of her education until she becomes a doctor. The same assistance will also be extended to the children of the other victims,” he said this in his speech at the opening of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) Northern Zone Special Convention here on Sunday.

According to the Premier, the loss of a parent could not be measured in monetary terms, but he assured that the state government would do its part in assisting the families affected by the Long Lellang tragedy.

Abang Johari said the incident had also strengthened his resolve in finding alternative ways to provide better services to people in the rural and remote areas.

The helicopter crashed at Long Lellang in Ulu Baram on Tuesday (Sept 8), killing all five people on board.

The victims were identified as the pilot Capt Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry, 31; Debra, 40; and fellow staff nurse Jessie Paya Jok, 44.

The victims were identified based on their personal belongings, clothing fragments and seating positions in the helicopter, with the formal identification carried out through DNA testing.

The helicopter crashed at the end of the runway of the Short-Takeoff-and-Landing Airport (STOLport) in Long Lellang.