The Royal Malaysian Air Force and Army have also been enlisted to assist the search and rescue (SAR) mission.
This was stated by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on his Twitter account.
“I have ordered the RMAF and Army to join the SAR mission,” he said.
A 30-strong team from Sarawak Fire and Rescue’s Special Tactical Operation Rescue Malaysia (STORM) unit has been despatched to Sebuyau, about 200km from here, tonight as the first response team to locate the helicopter.
It went missing while on a flight from Betong to Kuching this afternoon.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue chief Nor Hisham Mohammad said as of 9pm, no party had been able the confirm the location of the helicopter but nevertheless the STORM unit had been activated to be the first responders.
He added that their air unit had also been placed on standby, and was ready to move at a moment’s notice.
Zahid said initial reports said the helicopter took off from Betong at 4.15pm and was scheduled to arrive in Kuching at 5pm.
“The helicopter is believed to be in the Sebuyau coastal area. Police, General Defence Force and Marine Police have been deployed to the area to carry out the search and rescue operation.
“The special team will try to gather information about the five passengers who were reported to be in the helicopter,” he told reporters after attending a Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority function, here tonight.
– BERNAMA
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