Statements:Day 055
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Media Statements
Media Statement 29 by Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Group Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Airlines
MH370 PRESS STATEMENT BY HAMZAH ZAINUDIN DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHAIR OF NEXT OF KIN COMMITTEE
Thursday, May 01, 07:00 PM GMT +0800 Media Statement 29 by Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Group Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Airlines
Kuala Lumpur – 55 days since Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH370’s disappearance on 8 March 2014, a multi-nation search is still ongoing for the missing aircraft, its passengers and crew.
This enormous search mission was carried out with the support from more than 20 states, firstly in the South China Sea, in the Malacca Straits, and on land along the Northern Corridor, and since mid-March when specialised assets were deployed in the air, on the sea and underwater in the southern Indian Ocean, where top experts concluded the aircraft’s last known position was.
Despite such an intensified search operations, probably the largest one in human history, we have to face the hard reality that there is still no trace of the aircraft, and the fate of the missing passengers and crew remains unknown till this day.
Malaysia Airlines is acutely conscious of, and deeply sympathetic to the continuing unimaginable anguish, distress and hardship suffered by those with loved ones on board the flight.
We share the same very feelings and have been doing whatever we can to ease the pain of the families and to provide comfort for them.
The Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) in Australia has announced early this week that the search operation in the southern Indian Ocean will be moving to a new phase in the coming weeks, and it is certainly not ending.
In this new phase, the Malaysian Government, working together with Australia and Chinese governments, other international partners and specialised companies, plans to intensify the undersea search by deploying more technologically advanced assets in the search zone.
The Malaysian Government recently announced its decision to establish an international investigation team led by Malaysia. The members will include accredited representatives from the US, UK, Australia, China, France and Singapore. Also included are representatives from relevant international organisations and the civil aviation industry.
This investigation is an independent process in accordance with ICAO standards and recommended practices. Malaysia Airlines commits itself to fully support this independent investigation and provide full information and assistance as required.
From past experience, we understand the continuing search and investigation would be a prolonged process. While Malaysia Airlines is committed to continuing its support to the families during the whole process, we are adjusting the mode of services and support. Instead of staying in hotels, the families of MH370 are advised to receive information updates on the progress of the search and investigation and other support by Malaysia Airlines within the comfort of their own homes, with the support and care of their families and friends.
In line with this adjustment, Malaysia Airlines will be closing all of its Family Assistance Centres around the world by 7 May 2014.
Malaysia Airlines will keep in close touch with the families on news updates through telephone calls, messages, the Internet, and face-to-face meetings. With the support of the Malaysian Government, the airline’s Family Support Centres will be established in Kuala Lumpur and in Beijing. The detailed plan of follow-up support and services will be informed in person to the families.
Malaysia Airlines will make advanced compensation payments soonest possible to the nominated next-of-kin who are entitled to claim compensation, in order to meet their immediate economic needs.
Such advanced payments will not affect the rights of the next-of-kin to claim compensation according to the law at a later stage, and will be calculated as part of the final compensation.
Immediately after the next-of-kin have returned home, our representatives will be in touch with them at the earliest opportunity to initiate the advanced compensation payment process.
At this very difficult time, we wish to once again thank everyone for their understanding and support, especially from the families of the passengers and crew on board.
Malaysia Airlines’ thoughts and prayers remain with the families of all those onboard MH370.
-Ends-
Below statement and attached documents were made public and shared with NOKs at 8:27pm (Malaysia local time), 1 May 2014:
- 1. ATC Delivery
- 2. KL Ground
- 3. KL Tower
- 4. KL Approach
- 5. KL Radar
- Actions taken between 0138 and 0614
- Cargo Manifest and Airway Bill
- Maps
- Preliminary Report
- Seating plan
Source: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) website www.malaysiaairlines.com.my but since removed
1 May 2014
MH370 PRESS STATEMENT BY HAMZAH ZAINUDIN DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CHAIR OF NEXT OF KIN COMMITTEE
Today marks Day 55 since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. After weeks of an intensive search involving 26 countries spanning land, sea and air operations, it saddens me that MH370 is yet to be found. However, I need to stress that we are still continuing with search operations.
This is an excruciating time for the family and friends of those on board MH370 and I empathize the pain and suffering that they are going through. I can assure that we have done everything in our capacity to ensure that the families’ best interest are kept close to our hearts.
On that note, on behalf of the Malaysian Government, I would like to support and reaffirm Malaysia Airlines’ statement made on the 1st of May 2014. I would like to put on record, my utmost confidence in Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to continuing their support to the families of those on board MH370.
To reiterate Malaysia Airlines’ statement,
Malaysia Airlines will make advance compensation payments as soon as possible to the next-of-kin who are entitled to claim compensation, in order to meet their immediate economic needs. Such advance payments will not affect the rights of the next-of-kin to claim compensation according to the law at a later stage, and will be calculated as part of the final compensation.
In addition, I wish to reaffirm that the Malaysian Government will ensure that Malaysia Airlines keep in close touch with the families through the airline’s Family Support Centres which will be established immediately in Kuala Lumpur and in Beijing.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my support and appreciation to Malaysia Airlines in providing care and support to the next-of-kins at this very difficult time. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those on board.
- end -
Source: Ministry of Transport (Malaysia).
Media Statements have been included in this website to facilitate direct linking to relevant articles, and ownership of the original content by the copyright holder is acknowledged.
Although every effort has been made to ensure the content is the same as the original version (apart from changes noted here), readers and researchers are advised to locate the original version from the copyright holder by following links provided with the transcript, or here.
All times are Malaysia Time (MYT) or UTC +8:00 unless otherwise stated
