MH370: PM's announcement surprises next-of-kin

Selamat Omar, 62, father of one of the victims of the MH370 tragedy, was surprised by the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who confirmed early today that the flaperon found on Reunion island was from the aircraft.

He said he least expected it as the flaperon was found far from the location where the plane was reported to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean over a year ago.

"This is beyond belief.... because it is so far from the supposed crash site.

"But I still accept this as fate which has been pre-determined by Allah and hope the Malaysian government will continue with the search for more evidence," he told Bernama when met at his Felda Bukit Mendi home here today.

Selamat, who is the father of passenger Mohd Khairul Amri, 29,was also relieved with the confirmation as it would help to find other evidence including the victims' personal belongings.

"The discovery of even a piece of cloth will suffice to give closure to the families of victims who are still hoping for the bodies of their loved ones to be found," he said.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 370 carrying Mohd Khairul Amri with 226 other passengers and 12 crew to Beijing, China disappeared from the radar on March 8 about an hour after departing Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The plane was supposed to land in Beijing at 6.30am on the same day.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Maira Elizabeth Nari, 19, could not control her grief when she received the news confirming that the flaperon was from MH370.

"For now, there is nothing I can say about what had happened to my father.

"I do not know what I am supposed to do after this," she said between sobs.

Maira Elizabeth is the eldest child of the flight's chief steward Andrew Nari.

Meanwhile, Azrai Izet, 39, the husband of passenger Fadzilah Abd Rahim, declined to comment when contacted.