By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 10: What was meant to be nurse Jessie Paya Jok’s final month with the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) before she pursued further studies next year instead became the end of her journey, after she was killed in a helicopter crash near Long Lellang on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Her close friend Caroline Sawai Joseph Chungat, 43, said Jessie, affectionately known as Paya, had excitedly shared her plans to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Midwifery next year.
“That was my last conversation with Paya last month. She excitedly told me that this month would be her final involvement in the FDS as she was planning to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Midwifery next year.
“However, Paya’s noble wish and dream to further her studies was not meant to be fulfilled. That was her aspiration,” she told Bernama when contacted.
Caroline, a nurse at Miri Hospital, said she had known Paya since 2005, when the two were Community Nurse trainees at the Ministry of Health Malaysia Training Institute (ILKKM) in Serian.
Reflecting on their 21-year friendship, Caroline described Paya as soft-spoken and reserved, but said her warm smile and laughter could brighten any room.
“Paya’s personality was truly touching. Throughout the more than two decades I knew her, I never once saw her express anger or raise her voice at anyone.
“Her kindness and willingness to sacrifice were also evident during her service at Bario Health Clinic, where her sincerity earned the affection of the local community in the interior,” she said.
Caroline said Paya’s compassion extended beyond her professional responsibilities, recalling how she would sometimes use her own money to cover the travel expenses of patients who needed to be referred to Miri Hospital for treatment.
“Not many people are capable of showing such generosity towards patients who have no blood ties with them, but Paya demonstrated it through her dedication and her attitude of never complaining, even when faced with workloads that tested her mental and physical endurance,” she said.
Caroline also knew another nurse who died in the crash, 40-year-old Debra Moset, whom she described as friendly, approachable and fond of joking.
She said they had worked together at Jambatan Suai Health Clinic for six years before being transferred to different locations and later reuniting in 2019 while undergoing the Promotion Through Appointment (PSL) programme.
“Debra was meticulous and responsible in her duties. She was also known as a caring nurse among patients at Jambatan Suai Health Clinic,” she said.
Caroline said her last conversation with Debra was in February and centred solely on work.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said on Tuesday that a BO-105 helicopter carrying five people, including the pilot, crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport).
Besides Paya and Debra, those killed were pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30; medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33; and medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31. — Bernama
