Inmarsat says raw data with Malaysia, refutes Hisham's remarks

Satellite firm Inmarsat which is involved in determining the flight path of themissing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, refuted the Malaysian government's claim that it had not release its raw data.

The British company said it released data to the investigators during the early stage of the search for the missing plane.

"We shared the information that we had and it's up to the investigation to decide what and when it is put out," Inmarsat senior vice president Chris McLaughlin said in an interview with CNN.

Inmarsat was responding to a remark by Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who had said the raw data was with Inmarsat.

"The raw data is with Inmarsat - not with Malaysia, not with Australia and not with Malaysia Airlines. So if there is any request for this raw data to be made available to the public, the must make it through Inmarsat," Hishammuddin told a press briefing Thursday.

Inmarsat was responsible in pinpointing the last position of flight MH370 through analysis on the brief electronic 'pings' from the plane.

The data has led investigators to look for the aircraft in the southern Indian Ocean.

"We have very high confidence in the analysis of this data, which was independently evaluated by the international teams accredited to the official investigation," Inmarsat added.

The next-of-kins of MH370 passengers and crew demanded the release for all raw data, including satellite information, in their hopes that "the whole world can help look for the plane".

The families had also suggested that the government can buy over the data so that it can be accessed and analysed by outside experts.