BUTTERWORTH: Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) co-pilot Mej Mohd Fareez Omar, who is recuperating after successfully undergoing surgery last week, received a visit from Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad on Tuesday (Nov 23).

       The RMAF public affairs division said in a statement that Gen Ackbal arrived at Seberang Jaya Hospital at about 10am and spent about 30 minutes with Mej Mohd Fareez, his wife Siti Hajar Abdullah and his family.

       "Also present during the visit were Ackbal’s wife Puan Sri Norainy Shahar Alam, RMAF Commander Air Region 1 Maj Gen Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin and wife Datin Lynette Mohamad, RMAF Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) Brig Gen Suhaimi Sahri and executive officers of Butterworth Air Base," the statement said.

       During the visit Gen Ackbal handed over a financial contribution from Tabung Musa'adah and Kelab Sukan, Sosial dan Kebajikan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (KSSKA) to Mej Mohd Fareez.

       The statement said Gen Ackbal also took the opportunity to give words of encouragement and prayed for the health of Mej Mohd Fareez.

       The statement said Mohd Fareez, who suffered injuries to the spine, has safely undergone surgery on Nov 17 at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

       "He is in stable condition and still being admitted at hospital for treatment purposes by medical officers," the statement said.

       Gen Ackbal also took the opportunity to visit the wife and parents of the late Kapt Mohamad Affendi, at their house in Muadzam Shah and handed over financial contributions to them.

       He arrived at the residence of the late officer at about 1.15pm and was accompanied by RMAD Combat Training School (SLTT) commanding officer Leftenan Kol Jafridin Bahari.

       On Tuesday (Nov 16), Kapt Mohamad Affendi Bustamy, 31, was killed while Mej Mohd Fareez was injured when the Hawk fighter jet they were flying crashed during a night training exercise at the RMAF base in Teluk Ayer Tawar.