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Independent Investigation Panel Will Determine Cause Of MH370 Four-hour Delay
Last update: 02/05/2014
KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- The International Independent Investigating Panel will determine the reason for the four-hour delay in detecting Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 after the plane disappeared from radar screens at 1.21am on March 8.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the independent panel, which is made up of aviation experts from all over the world, is headed by former Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Datuk Kok Soo Chon.
"Let the independent body study the matter first because the two incidences, missing of MH370 and Air France 447, are two different things.
"Like the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) said, there are some things that Malaysia did well, some things we could do better," he told a press conference on MH370 here Friday.
He said Malaysia would not hesitate to take the appropriate action if there was any feedback from the independent panel.
Hishammuddin also said in the Air France 447 incident, the time taken to activate the rescue system was even longer, between six to seven hours.
Yesterday, the Transport Ministry issued the preliminary report on MH370, which contained the audio recording of the conversationS between the cockpit and the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre, and the cargo manifest.
Hishammuddin also stressed that Malaysia was always open to suggestions and would not hide any information relating to the loss of flight MH370.
Commenting on the preliminary report which contained only six pages compared to that of Air France 447, he said the situation faced by both aircraft were different.
"In the Air France case, the location of the aircraft was known early and debris was also found, so there was additional information, so the report that was provided was thicker.
"In the case of MH370, I have said it is unique in the sense that up till today, we have not been able to detect the plane or debris....but this does not mean that we are not following up all leads that were forwarded to us," he said.
Commenting on his trip to Canberra this Sunday to attend a trilateral meeting with China and Australia, Hishammuddin said the meeting would cover all aspects, including the new phase of search and the financial aspects.
"In the past, the issue of finance and cost never arose, but to be fair to the Australia, I think now it is time for at least, China and Malaysia sit down and discuss the way forward," he said.
He also noted that for the new phase of operations, Malaysia would suggest some sophisticated assets from Malaysian commercial entities be deployed for the search of MH370.
Hishammuddin added that Australia was already prepared to receive families of MH370 passengers in case it became necessary to fly them over.
Flight MH370, with 239 people aboard, left the KL International Airport at 12.41am on March 8 and disappeared from radar screens about an hour later while over the South China Sea. It was to have arrived in Beijing at 6.30 am on the same day.
A multnational search operation for the plane is ongoing in the southern Indian Ocean.
-- BERNAMA |
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| OPENING, TUESDAY, MAR 9| US | 4.1180/1230 | | S'pore | 3.0479/0520 | | 100 Yen | 3.7752/7805 | | Sterling | 5.6882/6967 | | Euro | 4.8769/8833 |
Source: Bank Negara Malaysia |
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