Declassified: Report on the Double Six Tragedy in Sabah

The Malaysian government has declassified the final report on the 1976 Sabah Air plane crash, also known as the Double Six Tragedy, which killed then Sabah Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and several other state leaders.

The report, which has been classified for 47 years, will be made public next week in accordance with Section 2C of the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88).

For 47 years, many questions were raised about the results of the investigation into the tragedy. In March 2023, the High Court in Sabah ordered Putrajaya to declassify the report on the incident and make it public.

On April 5, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the report had been declassified. He said that the public disclosure of the report was made in the interest of the victims’ families as well as the views of the people of Sabah who wanted detailed information about the incident. The decision was also in line with the policy of openness and transparency practised by the unity government.

The incident occurred on June 6, 1976, when an Australian-made Nomad 9M-ATZ aircraft operated by Sabah Air crashed in the Sembulan district while approaching Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The aircraft, which was dubbed the ‘widowmaker’, was known for its mechanical issues and had a history of fatal crashes.

The flight was carrying a total of 11 passengers and crew members, including Tun Fuad Stephens, several members of the state Cabinet, and crew members. The other passengers included Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Datuk Chong Thien Vun, Datuk Salleh Sulong, and Datuk Wahid Peter Andau, who were also prominent figures in the state’s politics.

The exact cause of the crash has never been conclusively determined, but it is widely believed to have been caused by a mechanical failure. There are also theories that the crash was caused by sabotage or political foul play, but these remain unproven.

The aftermath of the Double Six Tragedy was a time of great mourning for Sabahans. The state was left without its key leaders, and there was a sense of uncertainty about its future. The federal government stepped in to help stabilize the situation, and a new Chief Minister, Harris Salleh, was appointed to lead the state.

The Double Six Tragedy had far-reaching implications for Malaysia. The incident highlighted the importance of air safety and led to the implementation of stricter aviation regulations in the country. It also raised questions about the stability of the Malaysian political system and the potential for internal conflicts.

Today, the Double Six Tragedy remains a significant event in Sabah’s history. The state honours the memory of Tun Fuad Stephens and the other leaders who lost their lives in the tragedy through various memorials and events.