MH370: RCI, Parliamentary Select Committee proposed

Acting Transport minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he would propose to the Cabinet, the call by members of parliament for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) and Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the MH370 tragedy.

"I will bring the proposal to the decision makers, this is my assurance to you. But what I can confirm today is that an audit or committee has been set up at ministerial (Transport) level, similarly at the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

"All these will operate simultaneously with the search and rescue (SAR) mission," he told the Dewan Rakyat while winding up the special motion tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday to mourn the fate of flight MH370’s passengers and crew.

Hishammuddin reiterated that the SAR team's focus was on identifying the debris and to locate the missing plane.

He said the SAR operation would continue despite the challenges such as adverse weather conditions, and technical, diplomatic and logistics drawbacks.

He disclosed that the ministry was holding a meeting tonight with United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) representatives on the satellite images produced by Australia, China and France that were believed to relate to the missing MH370.

"This meeting is to ascertain whether the debris were really from the plane.

Once confirmed we will look for the black box," he said.

Met at the parliament lobby today, Hishammuddin expressed appreciation for the wholesome support by the MPs in regard to the government's handling of the MH370 incident.

"At least it has served as a bridge for us to unite and resolve an issue together, which is an attribute that stands out in all of us," he said.

Earlier while debating the special motion, both government and opposition MPs called for the setting up of an RCI and parliamentary select committee to investigate the tragedy.

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (BN-Bentong) said it was to ensure that there would be no stone left unturned in the investigation.

Hasbi Habibollah (BN-Limbang) said the setting up of the RCI must be supported by all parties for the sake of the country's image.

Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam (BN-Segamat) said the government was obliged to set up the RCI to fulfill the hopes of the affected families.

Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) said the committee which should comprise government and opposition representatives was very important to put to rest the mystery surrounding flight MH370's disappearance.