MH370: SAR mission to be divided into three groups, says Hishammuddin

The main technical team of the search and rescue (SAR) mission has now been divided into three groups which involve the diplomatic assets, logistics and technical aspects, said acting Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said that the diplomatic team will be led by Foreign Ministry, the Armed Forces will lead the assets and logistics while the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) will lead the technical team.

“From the diplomatic aspect, all 26 countries involved in the SAR mission have agreed to help in the operation and Malaysia has sent a diplomatic note requesting for it.

“Several assets are also ready, awaiting diplomatic approval to start its operation. As soon as it is obtained, we will send those assets,” he said during a press conference at the Sama-Sama Hotel, here on Wednesday.

Hishammuddin said Malaysia is still streamlining all its operation and the countries involved.

As many as 26 countries are involved in the SAR operation both on land and sea involving two corridors which is the north and south corridor.

The northern corridor stretches approximately from the border of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to northern Thailand, while the southern corridor stretches from Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean.

It is now the 12th day of the SAR operation of the missing MH370 which had onboard 227 passengers and 12 crew.