MH370 - Malaysia will never give up

Venue : Dewan Tun Ismail, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur

Event :  MH370 press conference -day 23

Date : 31/3/2014


Press Statement by DS Hishamuddin Hussein - Acting Transport Minister

Before I begin today’s briefing, I would like to reiterate what Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot said this morning. The international co-operation underway in the search for MH370 is nothing short of tremendous. The militaries of Malaysia, Australia, the United States, New Zealand, China, Japan and Korea are all working to find the missing plane.

I should also like to point out that Indonesia has given clearance for 94 sorties - by aircraft from nine different countries -- to fly in their airspace, as part of this search.

As Prime Minister Abbot said, it is heartening to see so many different countries working together for a humanitarian cause; to resolve this extraordinary mystery; and to bring closure for the families of those on board.

Prime Minister’s trip to Perth

This morning, the Prime Minister spoke with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot. Prime Minister Abbot gave a full update on the status of the search operations, headed out of Perth.

Our Prime Minister has decided to travel to Perth on Wednesday for a working visit to Pearce Air force base, to see the operations first hand and also to thank the personnel involved in the multinational search effort, including the Malaysian personnel. 


Operational update

This afternoon, the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia briefed me on the creation of a new, Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre (JACC), which will be based out of Pearce Air force base in Perth.

The JACC will be headed by Air Chief Marshal (ret.) Angus Houston, the former Chief of the Defense Force Australia. The JACC will co-ordinate operations between all Australian government agencies and international search teams.

As per the information that we have received from the Australian authorities, the area of search today is 254,000 square kilometres. 

Today, nine military aircraft and one civilian aircraft travelled to the search area. These planes were:
•        two Malaysian C-130.
•        one Chinese Ilyushin IL-76. 
•        one Japanese Coast Guard G5.
•        one Australian P3 Orion.
•        one New Zealand P3 Orion.
•        one New Zealand civilian aircraft.
•        one American P8 Poseidon.
•        one Japanese P3 Orion.
•        one Korean P3 Orion.

Today eleven ships were also deployed to the search area:

•        Eight Chinese ships: 
- the Xue Long,
- the Kunlunshan,
- the Haikou,
- the Qiandaohu Jian,
- the Jing Gang Shan,
- the Haixun,
- the Dong Hai Jian,
- and the Nan Hai Jian.

•        Three Australian ships: 
- the HMAS Success,
- the HMAS Toowoomba
- and MV Barkley Pearl, which is currently transiting  in the search area.

The Malaysian ship, the KD Lekiu, is expected to arrive in the search area on 3 April.

The ADV Ocean Shield - fitted with the towed pinger locator and a Bluefin 21 autonomous underwater vehicle - is due to arrive in the search area on 3 April. 

In terms of the sightings of potential objects:

On Saturday, five objects were retrieved by HMAS Success and the Haixun. However, it was found that none of these objects were related to MH370. On Sunday, an Australian P3 Orion made visual sightings of seven potential objects. A Korean P3 Orion also made visuals of three potential objects.

The Chinese ship, the Haixun, was tasked on Monday to retrieve these potential objects. 


ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting

In my capacity as Malaysian Defence Minister, I will leave tonight for the United States Pacific Command in Hawaii. I will attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting, which will be held from 1st to the 3rd of April. The meeting is being convened by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

On behalf of the Malaysian Government, I will share with my ASEAN counterparts, and the Government of the United States, the latest developments regarding the search for MH370. I will convey to our ASEAN neighbours and the United States, Malaysia’s utmost appreciation for their invaluable help in the multi-national search effort.

I will also use this opportunity to discuss the possibility of deploying more specific military assets, in the event that we need to embark on a more complex phase of the operation.  I shall be discussing with the United States, and our other friends and allies, how best we can acquire the assets needed for possible deep sea search and recovery.


Meeting with the Indonesian Special Envoy

Today, I held a meeting with the Indonesian Special Envoy and Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister, Madam Wiwiek Setyawati Firman, and her delegation. The delegation included H.E. Mr. Herman Prayitno, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Malaysia.

The Special Envoy expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Malaysia and the multinational team conducting the search operation. The Special Envoy also stated that Indonesia fully understands the complexity and the magnitude of the challenge ahead, and reaffirms its unshakeable support for Malaysia.


Next of Kin

Yesterday a group of families, whose loved ones were on board MH370, arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Beijing. The Government is due to hold a high-level briefing soon for these families, to update them on the latest developments regarding the search for MH370. The briefing will include international experts who were not available during the briefings in Beijing, including experts from China. It will also be broadcasted live to other families in Beijing. 

The search for MH370 continues to be a large, complex, multinational effort involving many countries and international agencies. Much of the research that has been used to track MH370 has been provided to the Malaysian investigators by our international partners. This research is extremely complicated, involving teams of highly specialised experts, many of whom are based in different countries around the world. 

The briefing will provide an opportunity for the families to hear directly from some of these experts. The experts will be able to explain the research, the data and the methodology that has informed the search operation.

Concluding remarks

We understand that it has been a difficult time for all the families.  And we appreciate that many families want to see physical evidence before they will accept that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
We find ourselves in a difficult position. I repeat: the question that the families principally want answered, is the question we simply do not have the answer to - namely, where their loved ones are, and where is MH370.

On Saturday I met with the Malaysian and Chinese families based in Kuala Lumpur. It was the most difficult meeting I’ve ever attended. The families are heartbroken. For many, the strain of the past few weeks has been unbearable. But the one message they delivered to me again and again is not to give up hope. And I promised the families that Malaysia, working with our international partners, will not give up hope.

We will continue with all our efforts to find MH370.

This is a promise that Malaysia intends to keep. We will continue searching, and we will keep investigating, and we will never give up until we find out what happened to MH370.

MH370 - Walau bersendirian Malaysia akan teruskan pencarian

Lokasi : Dewan Tun Ismail, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur

Acara : Sidang media MH370, hari ke-21

Tarikh : 28/3/2014

1~4 Source - BERNAMA  

Malaysia is Doing its Best in Finding MH370 - Hishamuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- As Malaysia is doing its best to locate the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH370, there is thus, no requirement to do it any differently, said Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said despite being watched like a hawk and frequently criticised by others, Malaysia had been very consistent and did not speculate, unless there was evidence which was corroborated and verified.

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He noted, that was proven by the focus of the search and rescue (SAR) operation - led by Malaysia - which shifted to the southern Indian Ocean area, given that no one had thought it would be the last flight path for the ill-fated aircraft.

"Where we are today, is based on very consistent and transparent efforts on our part.

"At the early stage of the search, nobody would have thought that we will find the plane in the Indian Ocean, (which is exactly) where we are today.

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"Earlier, we were talking about the plane landing in Nanning (China), oil slicks on South China Sea, sighting of the plane in the Melaka Strait, going north to Andaman," he said in the daily media briefing on the search operation which entered its 21st day, at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here today.

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Hishammuddin believed that history would judge Malaysia as a country "that was very responsible" and advised the Chinese not to be too emotional and (not to) listen to speculation.

"Emotions are running high. Lots of interest in this issue and people get crowded.

"I genuinely believe the SAR (search and rescue) team from Malaysia and the three gentlemen up here (referring to himself, Ahmad Jauhari and Azharuddin) have conducted ourselves responsibly, and history will judge that," he said.

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 6~7  Source - ASTROAWANI

MAS: Pilot and co-pilot underwent psychological screening

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) today confirmed that both pilot and co-pilot had underwent the psychological screenings required by the airline.

Such screenings, said MAS CEO Datuk Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, are imposed on new pilots and conducted by doctors through interviews.

“It is also something that we check yearly and six-monthly depending on how old they are,” he said.

On another question during the daily press conference this evening, Ahmad Jauhari was unable to say if both knew each other or had worked together for a long time.

“For the pilot, co-pilot, there is an automated roster system.

"It is not necessarily a need for them to know each other, but we do have a large community of pilots and they tend to know each other in a group. Sometimes they don’t,” he said, adding that there are more than a thousand pilots working for MAS.

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Focus on deliberate act

The pilots have been under the media spotlight since the plane vanished on March 8, especially after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak indicated that evidence points towards a “deliberate” act.

Police have interrogated more than 100 friends and families of the two, and have even confiscated a flight simulator belonging to the pilot, Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah.

They are also investigating an apparent call to Zaharie minutes before the take off.

Recently, the New Zealand Herald had quoted an unnamed pilot who claimed to have known Zaharie, saying that the pilot could have taken the Boeing 777-200ER for a “last joy ride”.

USA Today reported that investigators believe that Zaharie was ‘solely responsible’ for the incident.

Friends and family of Zaharie have vehemently denied such conclusions, calling them unfair speculations that are putting Zaharie through a ‘trial by media’

8~9  Punca - ASTROAWANI

MH370: Akan wujud lagi pengkhususan dalam operasi mencari, kata Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Perubahan lokasi pencarian ke kawasan baru hari ini dibuat selepas penelitian semula ke atas data serta cerapan satelit yang diterima sebelum ini menunjukkan pesawat itu terbang pada kelajuan yang tinggi, melebihi jangkaan.

Pemangku menteri pengangkutan Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein berkata, maklumat terbaru itu diperolehi oleh kumpulan kerja antarabangsa dengan kerjasama beberapa rakan antarabangsa lain yang memproses data yang sama di negara masing-masing.

Penemuan itu menyebabkan lokasi pencarian diubah ke kawasan baru iaitu kira-kira 1,100 kilometer dari kawasan carian selama ini.

Tambahnya menerusi cerapan imej satelit dan data-data yang disalurkan oleh banyak negara, usaha pencarian semakin dapat memahami laluan penerbangan pesawat MH370 dan ia dibuat berdasarkan maklumat dan bukti yang ada ketika ini.

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Hishammuddin turut menjelaskan seperti mana yang dimaklumkan pihak berkuasa Australia pada pagi Jumaat, operasi pencarian sudah beralih 1,100 kilometer ke timur laut.

Kawasan baru pencarian itu sebenarnya konsisten dengan potensi objek yang dikenalpasti menerusi cerapan pelbagai satelit sejak minggu lalu ekoran pergerakan arus laut dan ia adalah satu proses berterusan.

Sementara itu, Hishammuddin berkata, mereka turut menjangkakan akan wujud lagi pengkhususan seperti yang dijelaskan pagi tadi di mana ia merupakan amalan standard dalam operasi mencari.

Proses pengenalpastian data yang berterusan akan mengecilkan lagi kawasan pencarian.

Operasi mencari di kawasan Lautan Hindi dilakukan selepas satelit Australia mengesan dua objek dipercayai mempunyai kaitan dengan MH370.

10~11  Punca - ASTROAWANI 

MH370: Malaysia tidak akan putus asa dalam operasi pencarian

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia akan meneruskan usaha mencari pesawat MH370 yang hilang sejak 8 Mac lalu, meskipun negara-negara lain menarik diri.

Pemangku Menteri Pengangkutan Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein bagaimanapun berkata, melihat daripada sokongan yang ditunjukkan dunia luar, adalah jauh sekali mereka hendak berbuat demikian.

“Setakat hari ini yang tarik diri pun bukan kerana mereka tidak mahu meneruskan usaha (pencarian) tetapi lokasi koridor itu bukan semua negara mempunyai kapal-kapal ataupun pesawat yang boleh membantu mengesan debris(serpihan) sedia ada.

“Sebab itu jika hendak kata mereka tarik diri.. jauh skali,” kata beliau dalam sidang media harian operasi mengesan pesawat MH370 di Pusat Dangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), pada Jumaat.

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Hishammuddin menyatakan rasa kagum dan terharu dengan sokongan serta bantuan yang telah diberikan oleh pasukan dari negara-negara luar setakat ini.

Katanya berdasarkan kerjasama tersebut, tidak ada halangan atau kekangan bagi Malaysia untuk menyelaras operasi mencari dan menyelamat (SAR) ini.

“Itu yang berikan kita kekuatan dan semangat untuk meneruskan usaha ini dan itulah yang memberi semangat kepada pasukan kita,” tegasnya.

Tambahnya lagi, Malaysia tidak akan putus asa dalam operasi mencari pesawat ini serta akan meneruskan usaha setakat yang mampu.

Usaha mengesan pesawat MH370 yang dipercayai berakhir di selatan Lautan Hindi digerakkan ke kawasan baharu yang terletak kira-kira 1,100 kilometer dari kawasan carian sebelum.

Ia dibuat berdasarkan kepada petunjuk baru boleh dipercayai yang diserahkan oleh pasukan penyiasat Malaysia kepada pihak berkuasa di Australia.

Zon baharu itu luasnya lebih kurang 319,000 kilometer persegi dan terletak lebih dekat dengan pesisir pantai barat Australia iaitu kira-kira 1,850 kilometer dari Perth, berbanding 2,000 kilometer sebelum ini.

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16  Punca - ASTROAWANI

MH370: Pampasan sedang dibincang MAS, perundangan dan keluarga penumpang

KUALA LUMPUR: Penerbangan Malaysia sedang berbincang dengan beberapa pihak perundangan dan keluarga penumpang MH370 berhubung soal pampasan.

Ketua Eeksekutif MAS, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya bagaimanapun menegaskan, tuntutan keluarga penumpang ketika ini ialah bagi mendapatkan bukti kukuh kehilangan MH370 khususnya serpihan pesawat itu.

Beliau menegaskan tuntutan utama keluarga penumpang bukannya wang pampasan.

"Setakat ini apa yang diminta oleh mereka pihak keluarga terutamanya adalah bukti kukuh, maksudnya mereka mahu bukti pesawat itu. Sebab itu usaha mencari dipergiat supaya kita boleh kesan pesawat itu," ujarnya.

Bagi pemangku menteri pengangkutan Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein pula, kerajaan melalui mesyuarat kabinet pada Khamis memutuskan bahawa pejabat peguam akan memperhalusi perkara itu.

Menurutnya, antara yang diambil kira ialah aspek dan kesan perundangan.

Selepas perjalanan MH370 disahkan berakhir di pertengahan Lautan Hindi pada Ahad oleh perdana menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, perhatian ke atas tuntutan pampasan tidak terkecuali selain usaha yang ditumpukan kepada misi mencari dan menjejak.

Seramai 239 penumpang menaiki pesawat MH370 semasa ia hilang dalam perjalanan dari Kuala Lumpur ke Beijing pada 8 Mac lalu.

Daripada jumlah itu, penumpang warga China paling ramai iaitu 157 orang diikuti Malaysia dengan 50 orang.

17  Wakil CNN