Liow: First phase of MH370 search mission ends in June

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the operation had covered about 52,000-sq km.

"If we still can't find the remains, Malaysia is committed to continue with the second phase next month on the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, an action committee jointly formed by Malaysia, China and Australia," he told reporters.

He said this after launching the new building projects for SJK(C) Hu Yew Seah here today.

He said the second phase of the search would involve an additional area of 60,000 square kilometres.

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Liow also said three ships, the Fugro Equator, Fugro Discovery and GO Pheonix were involved in the deep-sea operation.

"The contract with GO Phoenix will end with the fulfilment of their contractual obligation for the first phase while the other two ships will continue with the mission," he said.

The Malaysia Airlines flight was carrying 239 passengers and crew when it disappeared from radar screens while heading to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on the morning of March 8, last year.

Meanwhile, Liow said the government would beef up maritime security in the South China Sea to ensure the safety of all ships, following the MT Orkim Harmony hijack.

"We have managed to reduce piracy close to zero in the Straits of Malacca and hopefully we can do the same in the South China Sea," he said.

The MT Orkim Harmony tanker laden with 6,000 metric tonnes of petrol worth RM21 million was reported missing at 8.57pm on June 11 while heading to Kuantan Port from Melaka.