MH370: US prepared to extend further help in search efforts

United States Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Washington stands ready to fulfil additional requests for assistance from Malaysia in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370.

However, he said, no such requests were relayed by Malaysian Defence Minister and Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein when they met here in conjunction with the US-Asean Defence Forum which ended Thursday.

"I told him (Hishammuddin) very clearly if he has additional requests, talk to me directly.

"And I told him if it is possible absolutely we'll honour any additional requests (for assistance)," Hagel told a press conference at the conclusion of the US-Asean dialogue.

The Beijing-bound Malaysian plane with 239 people aboard vanished mid-flight over the South China Sea about an hour after taking off from the KL International Airport on March 8.

A multinational search for the Boeing 777-200ER, involving Malaysia's neighbours and countries further afield like the United States, France, China and Australia, has so far drawn a blank.

The aircraft is believed to have gone down in the southern Indian Ocean, and the search mission is being conducted out of Perth, Australia.

Hagel noted that Hishammuddin, who represented Malaysia at the Hawaii talks, was generous with his compliments to his Asean defence counterparts as well as the United States over the assistance rendered in locating the plane.

The defence secretary also pointed out that a number of nationalities were represented on that Malaysian flight.

He noted that China and many countries in Asia Pacific which had been asked by Malaysia to render assistance had complied fully.

"This is about people. After all isn't that the essence of what we are all about, which is protecting our citizens and helping others when they need help," he added.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin and his entourage, including Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Deputy Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, left Honolulu for home shortly after the conclusion of the forum.