MH370: Search mission has covered 15,000 square kilometre area

The search mission for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370, which vanished since March 8 last year, has covered a 15,000 square kilometre area from the 60,000 square kilometre area in the Indian Ocean.

Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said, approximately 26 percent of the area has been thoroughly scoured using four search vessels.

However, he said, in the event additional search vessels are provided, the remaining search area can be covered by May this year.

The Malaysian government, together with Australia, has allocated as much as RM173.4 million each in preliminary tenders to allow them to assess which organisations would be able to supply the equipment and expertise required in the search.

"As we have allocated RM60 million for the search efforts and Australia have also allocated RM60 million, so with this total amount we have created an open tender and have contracted Fugro Discovery to do its search at the southern region of the Indian Ocean," said Liow said after his visit to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in Muar, Johor.

Malaysia will also send experts to assist the Indonesian government investigate the crash involving AirAsia Flight QZ8501 last month.

The Indonesian government had established a special committee which would allow Malaysia to send investigators and investigate the cause of the accident.

The Boeing 777-200ER aircraft carried 227 passengers and 12 crew members departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12:41 midnight on March 8 and disappeared from radar about an hour later when it crossed the South China Sea.

It was supposed to arrive in Beijing at 6:30am the same day.

To date, the aircraft has not been found and the search effort continues.