KOTA KINABALU - The Federal government's decision to downgrade and declassify the final investigation report regarding the Double Six incident 47 years ago brings Sinar to the Double Six memorial site in Sembulan.
The memorial was built in 1977 after the plane crash tragedy killing 11 people including the Sabah Chief Minister at the time Tun Mohd Fuad Stephens on June 6, 1976.
The tragedy shook Kota Kinabalu residents when a loud crash was heard around 3.50pm when the GAT Nomad type aircraft crashed in Sembulan.
This incident was known as the Double Six tragedy as it fell on June 6 after the Sabah Air operated plane left Labuan to Kota Kinabalu, crashing while it was over Sembulan.
The plane carrying almost all Sabah Cabinet members at the time, who were from the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah (Berjaya) including Fuad himself.
Those who died were State Local Government Minister Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Communications and Public Works Minister Datuk Chong Tahin Vun, State Finance Minister Datuk Salleh Sulong and deputy chief minister's assistant minister Darius Binion.
The others were Permanent Secretary of the finance minister Wahid Peter Andau Sabah State Economic Planning Unit director Dr Syed Hussein Wafa, Private Secretary to the finance minister at the time (Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) Ishak Atan, Fuad's bodyguard Corporal Said Mohammad, pilot Gandhi J Nathan and Fuad's son Johari Stephens.
Razaleigh was supposed to board the same plane but he had to reject it after he was invited to officiate a cow farm project in Banggi Island, Kudat.
The plane crashed in a shallow water area and the location became the focus of the public as it was said to have shaken almost the entire area when it occurred.
The cause of the incident has yet to be known and several speculations were made and one stated it was a treacherous act following the uncertain political situation at the time.
There was another speculation that the plane suffered technical difficulties and was overloaded, as the main reasons of the crash.
Following the Federal government's decision announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday after stating the final report will be known next week, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor described the decision was a relief as it revealed what actually happened during the day.
It was considered a relief not only to the families of those who died but also the Sabah people.