‘We want to review MH370 data’

BENTONG: Although the search for MH370 in the south Indian Ocean has been suspended, experts are going back to the drawing board to locate the wreckage, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“Malaysia, China and Australia will continue to work together in the search for MH370.

“We suspended the search so that we can go back to the drawing board and re-look into deep sea water search data, the debris data, as well as the drifting pattern.

“We want to re-look into whatever info that we can gather, including satellite data,” he told reporters at a press conference after attending a road safety campaign held at the Genting Sempah rest and recreational stop here yesterday.

Liow added that the experts had determined the 120,000 sq km search area based on satellite communications data.

The two-year search, he said, has proven that the wreck is not in the area.

“Only when we are confident of the plane’s exact location, will we move in.

“At the moment, we do not have the data to show us its exact location.

“What the expert team gave us is just the probable area. We can’t make a decision based only on that,” he said.

Say cheese: Liow taking a wefie with staff of highway concessionaire ANIH Bhd after launching its road safety campaign.

Liow assured the public that the Australia Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) would continue to analyse avai­lable data, including drifting patterns and debris.

He added that Malaysia has also set up a response team, led by Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, to search for more debris.

“We have contacted all countries around the south Indian Ocean. They will assist us in looking for debris.

“So when we find debris, we will quickly send it to Australia for ana­lysis.

“Once we have more debris surfacing, we will be able to collect more data to determine the exact position of the aircraft,” he said.

On keeping the next-of-kin of those on board MH370 informed, Liow said a meeting will be held between them and the DCA, ATSB as well as MAS.

“We will keep them informed of the latest developments, we do not want them to feel that we have just suspended the search.

“We are together with them and we want to look for answers together with them,” he said.

MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight bound for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. It disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 239 passengers and crew on board.