Don't spread unconfirmed reports about missing flight on social media - Shabery

Members of the public, especially social media users, have been advised to not spread unofficial news about the missing AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said any news received must be officially confirmed by AirAsia.

"What we know is that an AirAsia flight which took off from Surabaya and scheduled to land in Singapore has been reported missing today. So, we cannot speculate anything at this moment.

"I have asked the Information Department to set up a media centre at a location of AirAsia's preference so that information received is real and confirmed," he told reporters after visiting the children of Nur Hayati Sulong, 37, who perished in a boat tragedy at Kampung Geliga Che Akob, Kemaman, last Wednesday.

Shabery was commenting on news reports on social media about the AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 which lost contact with the Indonesian Air Traffic Control at 7.24am after taking off from Surabaya to Singapore.

News of the missing flight was confirmed by AirAsia on its official portal, Facebook and Twitter.