It has been exactly half a year, since Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 vanished mysteriously with 239 people on board.
The 239 people from 14 countries, is someone’s father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, friend and so many other relations, whose name alone, would have brought beautiful memories to their loved ones.
However, six months since the world's greatest aviation mystery, the victims’ families are only left with frustration, despair, tears and a sense of loss as they try to believe that their loved ones would probably not return, yet having hope after hope that they finally would.
Many are still pining for their loved ones who boarded MH370.
“A few days ago, I prayed to God that if my dad is alive, please let him come into my dreams and I dreamt about him for the next three days.”
These were the words of Maira Elizabeth Nari, the daughter of MH370 chief steward Andrew Nari, who said she is still pining for her dad and her hope that he will return one day, has never faded.
According to Maira, the dream strengthened her belief that her father would come back and she takes it as a sign from God.
“The first dream was about a collage of pictures. In one of the pictures, my dad was looking at me. Another picture depicts a scenery of a jungle. In yet, another picture he was lying down.
“In the second dream, my dad came back home to celebrate a barbeque party at my aunt’s house. This sort of party is a norm in our family. However, in this dream, he had long hair.
“The third dream was almost similar to the second one, but my dad was skinny and bald,” she said.
Like Maira, many MH370 victims’ families are still waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.
MH370, with 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, went missing on March 8 about an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
More than 26 countries have been involved in the search for the Boeing 777, but after six months, it has still not been found.
After 17 days of the flight’s disappearance, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
Najib made the announcement based on the results of the analysis by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch United Kingdom (AAIB) and Inmarsat, the UK company that provides satellite data showing the northern and southern corridors.
Amidst many conspiracy theories like hijack and sabotage, a report in June by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau concluded that most likely scenario was that the flight coasted into the ocean on autopilot, while the pilots were unresponsive because of hypoxia, often caused by depressurisation.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott who visited Malaysia on Friday, pledged to help Malaysia to solve the mysterious case.
"We owe to the families of those lost, we owe to the grieving countries, we owe to the curious all over the world, to do whatever we can, to resolve this mystery (of the missing MH370).
"We will not rest until it is resolved...Australia-Malaysia will be the strongest possible partners in this important task," he said.
A renewed search effort has been started for the aircraft, with the Malaysian and Australian governments having signed a memorandum of understanding last month.
T K Letchumy Tamboo
Mon Sep 08 2014
It has been exactly half a year, since Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 vanished mysteriously with 239 people on board.
Is climate change making tropical storms more frequent? Scientists say it's unclear
Scientists say it remains unclear how much climate change is reshaping the storm season.
Samples obtained by Chinese spacecraft show moon's ancient volcanism
The material provides new insight into the moon's geological history including the oldest evidence to date of lunar volcanism.
The scamdemic targeting the young and vulnerable
Teenagers and young adults are becoming prime targets for a new wave of cyber scams, a trend raising alarm bells across Southeast Asia.
Japanese manicurist takes on plastic pollution, one nail at a time
Before global leaders address plastic pollution, a Japanese manicurist highlights the issue by incorporating it into her nail designs.
What to watch for ahead of US presidential inauguration
Here's a timeline of events between now and inauguration day.
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.