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PEKANBARU (SUMATRA) - THE Indonesian Air Force says Chemoil Energy founder and chief executive Robert Chandran should not have been flying on the military helicopter that crashed in Sumatra on Monday.
Mr Chandran died of injuries sustained in the accident. The 10 other passengers on the aircraft were injured.
A total of seven civilians and four Indonesian military personnel were on board the ill-fated Sikorsky Twinpack S-58 helicopter.
Indonesian Air Force chief of staff Vice-Marshal Subandrio said misconduct was suspected regarding the presence of civilians on board the military aircraft, and that a probe would be launched into the incident.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta yesterday, he said: 'There is neither permit nor security clearance from the headquarters so we concluded that the flight has breached procedures.'
He was quoted by Xinhua as saying: 'The air force will take necessary actions against officers responsible for the misconduct according to the existing laws,'
It has emerged that the trip to Riau province's Pekanbaru was the first to the area by Mr Chandran. The trip was not on his schedule. Pekanbaru is the capital of the Riau province.
The Straits Times understands that Mr Chandran had flown to Jakarta on Sunday for a business meeting. There, he had met an Indonesian businessman who then invited him to see his oil palm plantation in Pekanbaru. Mr Chandran accepted the offer and flew from Jakarta to Pekanbaru on a domestic airline on Monday - the day of the helicopter crash.
The Indonesian businessman then arranged for the military helicopter to take them around the plantation the same day.
The helicopter crashed at about 3pm, apparently due to engine trouble, near Desa Lubuk Ogung, a rural area 40km east of Pekanbaru. Mr Chandran died on the way to hospital.
He had been due to return to Singapore on Monday evening as he had another business meeting to attend here.
Sources told The Straits Times that it is possible for Indonesian military helicopters to be chartered. But it is usually a private deal between the Indonesian Air Force and civilians.
Mr Chandran's body was cremated on Thursday and a memorial service attended by political leaders, business associates and friends was held that same night.
Chemoil directors are expected to meet today to discuss the search for Mr Chandran's replacement.
The global marine fuels supplier had said earlier that operations at its Singapore and overseas projects would continue as normal.
Chemoil shares, which are listed on the Singapore Exchange, slipped by 3 per cent, or 1.5 US cents, to 47.5 US cents yesterday.
nicholas@sph.com.sg
arlina@sph.com.sg
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