Final compensation only after MH370 issue is resolved

The government is committed in resolving the compensation for the crew and passengers of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 but priority is given to efforts to look for the aircraft that is still missing.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi told the Dewan Negara that the final compensation to all those concerned would be paid after the issue on the aircraft was resolved.

"MAS and the government have resolved to give out US50,000 as initial aid. There will only be a final account when a final decision is made and the aircraft has been found," he said.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Dr Johari Mat who wanted to know the latest status on the next-of-kins of the people who were on board the missing aircraft.

Abdul Aziz explained that it was the responsibility and commitment of the government to announce the latest development in resolving the compensation issue immediately.

Seven next-of-kins of passengers of the aircraft were reported to have received an initial payment of US50,000 each via the airline's insurance company.

On March 8, a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft carrying 239 passengers and crew disappeared from the radar screen about one hour after departing from the KL International Airport (KLIA) at 12.41am bound for Beijing.

Search operations for the aircraft were carried out over the South Indian Ocean.