The fact that MH370 has still not been found underscores the complexity and difficulty of this search operation. We are tremendously grateful for the effort the Australian authorities have made, leading the search for MH370 off the coast of Perth.
Malaysia will discuss with our international counterparts, including Australia, how the new search operation, as announced by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday, will proceed.
This discussion will include issues such as the deployment of assets with deep sea search capabilities, the cost of the operation and how best authorities can ensure the next of kin of those onboard MH370 are properly informed of the latest developments.
In line with Malaysia’s consistent stand of verifying and corroborating any new lead since day one of the search operations, we are aware of a report citing the detection of potential aircraft wreckage in the Bay of Bengal. China and Australia are also aware of this report. Malaysia is working with its international partners to assess the credibility of this information.
Updates on the International Investigation Team
We have also appointed the Investigator in Charge for the International Investigation Team. He is Datuk Kok Soo Chon, the former director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation and also a former permanent representative to the ICAO Council in Montreal.
The International Investigation Team, which has already commenced its work, has accredited representatives from the US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), the UK Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), China’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) of The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), France’s Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA), the Australia Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and representatives of Asean from Singapore and Indonesia.
Included in the team are Boeing, who is under the US Accredited Representative and Rolls Royce and Inmarsat, who are under the UK Accredited Representative.
The main purpose of the International Investigation Team is to evaluate, investigate and determine the actual cause of the incident so that similar incidents could be avoided in the future.
I would like to stress that this investigation is not aimed at apportioning blame or liability with regards to the incident.
It is imperative for the government to form this independent team of investigators, all of whom are not only competent and transparent but also highly credible.
This investigation will be carried out in accordance with Annex 13 - Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) as implemented by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1996, which requires each party to investigate air accidents independently with full powers in their respective countries. – April 29, 2014.
* Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is acting transport minister and defence minister of Malaysia.
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