We will spare no effort in search for missing Briton - Hishammuddin

The Defence Minister said the issue of the missing Briton was discussed during a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart, Philip Hammond in Singapore during the just-concluded Shangri La Dialogue.

"I've told him (Philip Hammond) during the bilateral meeting that we will do everything in our power to assist in the effort to find its missing citizen in Tioman," he told reporters after the 9th Five-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) Minister's Meeting here Sunday.

According to the investigation carried out by the Royal Malaysian Police, he said there was no element of foul play or crime surrounding the missing British man, nevertheless, the authorities would continue its investigation.

Huntley, who was believed to be working and staying at the Penyu Juara Project in Kampung Juara, Pulau Tioman was reported to be missing after visiting the Lubuk Teja Waterfalls on Tuesday.

The family of Huntley was reported by the foreign media as pleading to the Malaysian authorities to expand and expedite efforts to find the Briton.

His mother, Janet Southwell told the London Evening Standard that she had yet to receive any official response on her request for a search party to be deployed.

In Kuantan, Pahang Police Chief Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani refuted allegations that police were dragging their feet in the investigation, saying they were serious in the search and rescue (SAR) operation to find Huntley.

On the FPDA meeting today, Hishammuddin, who is also Acting Transport Minister, said the ministers reaffirmed their committment to the importance of the FPDA in enhancing regional security.

The ministers, he said, acknowledged that the FPDA which groups Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, had evolved over the years to adapt to the present security challenges and maintain its relevance.

The meeting he said, also discussed regional security issues that were of concern to FPDA member nations.

"They took note of the recent developments affecting the region. They stressed the need for effective cooperation, dialogue, freedom of navigation and respect for international law in managing threats to stability," he said.

The ministers, according to Hishammuddin, had also expressed sympathies to the family members of those onboard flight MH370 and reaffirmed their continued support for the search mission of the missing plane.

The meeting was attended by Australia and New Zealand Defence Ministers David Johnston and Dr Jonathan Coleman, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond and Singapore's Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.