Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the relevant authorities to carry out a thorough probe into the incident involving a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter jet in Kuantan, Pahang last night.
“The cause of the incident must be identified and the relevant safety measures must be taken,” he said in a social media post.
Last night, the RMAF said the incident involving the F/A-18D Hornet occurred at 9.05pm on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan, which shares facilities with the airbase.
The New Straits Times reported that the jet’s pilot and weapons systems officer had safely ejected.
Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman confirmed that both of them were safe and had been taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for a check-up.
A video showing what is believed to be the fighter jet catching fire shortly after takeoff has been circulating on social media.
Anwar went on to express sympathy for the pilot and weapons systems officer involved in the incident.
“I pray that they will recover from their injuries.”
