“While the need may be quite urgent at this moment, I believe this is something we can consider for the future and to foster better cooperation with the ministry concerned.

“Perhaps through the acquisition of new assets or other means, we can facilitate collaboration between the ministry and agencies to ensure that their duties and responsibilities are carried out more effectively in the future,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after the Senior Police Officer Rank Insignia Presentation and Handover of Duties Ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre (PULAPOL) here today.

It was previously reported that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that four government agencies would assist MOH in operating mercy flights to ensure residents in remote areas requiring medical treatment continued to have access to healthcare services.

The mercy flight services will be provided temporarily pending completion of the investigation into the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Miri, Sarawak, on Sept 8, in which the aircraft caught fire.

Touching on the progress of the crash investigation, Mohd Khalid expressed his condolences to the families of the victims involved and said police had so far recorded statements from 20 witnesses.

He said additional statements would be recorded to complete the investigation papers.

Meanwhile, Mohd Khalid said police were finalising their investigation into a report lodged by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim, who claimed that he had been coerced into signing the Proclamation Instrument seeking to remove the 11th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

He said the matter was sensitive and required thorough scrutiny, taking into account not only the police investigation but also the customs and traditions of Negeri Sembilan.

“We are still preparing the investigation papers and may require further action, as well as input from the Attorney General’s Chambers and other relevant parties,” he said.

Ismail had claimed that he was forced to sign the document before lodging a police report on Sept 8 to enable the authorities to investigate the matter.

-- BERNAMA