Dr Wee: Malaysia to make reasonable efforts to continue search for MH370

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will make reasonable efforts to continue the search for MH370 in cooperation with China and Australia, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

“I again express our solemn remembrance of this tragedy in memory of those who perished on Flight MH370.

“Once again, we assure that reasonable efforts will be made to continue this search in cooperation with China and Australia and keep the next of kin inform of any future development, ” the Transport Minister said in a message during the eve of the 7th annual remembrance event for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 hosted by “Voice370” on Sunday (March 7).

Dr Wee said that Malaysia also wished for closure and shared the same aim with China and Australia to locate the missing aircraft and find answers behind the tragedy.

“We want closure as much as the families and friends whom we respectfully address as the next-of-kin of those who were on MH370.

“In the search for MH370, the governments of Malaysia, Australia and China have spared no expenses and resources in our collective effort to locate MH370.

“Our shared aim was always to find the aircraft and get the answers, ” he said.

However, Dr Wee said that the nations under the tripartite search and recovery operations, with a heavy heart, had to make a decision to suspend the operations on Jan 17,2017, pending new and credible evidence on the possible location of the plane.

“On Jan 22,2018, Ocean Infinity commenced search operations with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) for 25,000 sq km in the South Indian Ocean.

“However, after a total search area of 112,000 sq km, Ocean Infinity was forced to end operations on May 29,2018, until new evidence is established to pinpoint new probable areas, ” he added.

Dr Wee said that the MH370 tragedy can never be forgotten and the event on Sunday (March 7) is held in solemn remembrance and in prayers of the 239 passengers and crew who were on board the plane.

“For many, the passage of time this seven years has not softened the painful memory of this tragedy, ” he added.

In 2014, MH370 was on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board, when it disappeared from radar.

Investigators deduced that the aircraft had veered thousands of kilometres off-course before plunging into the Indian Ocean.