THE owner of the helicopter that was used to pick up 36 packages of “nasi ganja” from Ipoh is Mohamed Raffe Chekku, managing director of the Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway Bhd (Latar), Free Malaysia Today reports.

Raffe told the news portal that all papers were in order for the legality of the flight and that he is leaving it to the police to investigate.

“I have nothing much to say except that it was a quick pickup. I have appointed my lawyers to handle the matter and we will give our full cooperation,” he was quoted saying.

The helicopter pickup of the nasi ganja order from Padang Ipoh on July 23 was criticised on social media with users questioning if the flight had broken movement restrictions, besides the extravagance of such a mode of transport to order food at a time of economic crisis due to the Coid-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

It was reported that an unnamed pilot said the helicopter, a Bell 505, had been leased by its owner to Systematic Air Services (SAS).

SAS chief executive officer Ida Adora Ismail was quoted as saying that none of its crew were involved in the order and pickup of the food.

“While we confirm that the aircraft is under a leasing agreement with us, the Ipoh flight was a private one flown by the owner and his passenger from Subang airport to Ipoh and back,” she said.

Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid has said police will be recording statements from the people and company involved as well as the owner of the nasi ganja outlet. – July 26, 2021.