KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is thankful for the announcement on declassifying the Double Six plane crash.
The incident which happened on June 6, 1976, saw the deaths of 11 people, including the then chief minister, Tun Fuad Stephens.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor described the federal decision on the matter as a relief.
"This is a relief because it will unravel what actually happened on that day. (It's) a relief not only for the family of those who perished in the plane crash but also to the people of Sabah," he said in a statement.
Hajiji was commenting on the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the federal cabinet's decision to allow the declassification of the documents which had been under wraps for 47 years.
On March 8, the High Court in Kota Kinabalu had issued a court order to direct the Malaysian government to declassify the incident by June 8 this year
However, it was reported on March 10 that the government had filed an appeal against court order to reveal the investigation.
In another statement, Parti Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman also said the decision to declassify the report on the Double Six Tragedy was a step in the right direction which would put to rest the concerns of Sabahans.
"(Anwar's) announcement today is something that many Sabahans will welcome as they have been waiting for the report for decades.
"It will put an end to questions and any speculation on the air crash that resulted in 11 people killed including then chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens on June 6, 1976.
"Many Sabahans still remember that tragic day and since then have been asking what caused the crash.
"Questions and any speculation would normally arise when the annual memorial service to remember those who perished in the accident is held at the site in Sembulan."