MH370: Foreign media report disturbs investigation - IGP

The action of the foreign media in spreading numerous confusing information on the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH370 aircraft has triggered speculation and disturbs investigation on the case.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the investigation on the missing aircraft was handled by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and only the police had legitimate information to be announced to the public.

"Don't listen to the foreign media...we are the main investigator in this case and we are the ones who will give the latest updates, so take it from us.

"So many stories and speculation...don't jump into one story concocted by the foreign media as it will only worsen the situation," he told reporters here, today.

Yesterday, PDRM, in a statement, regretted the news report from The Sunday Times, United Kingdom which claimed that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was purportedly responsible for the disappearance of the aircraft.

The newspaper, via its website, quoted PDRM as saying that it considered the main suspect behind the disappearance of the MH370 aircraft to be the pilot of the flight itself, namely, Captain Zaharie.

PDRM denied giving the information and regarded its statement as had been distorted.

Khalid said the search for the unfortunate aircraft including its black box was still going on in the southern Indian Ocean and police were positive it would be found.

He said the allegation that the search operation had reached a dead end was not relevant because PDRM was still investigating it and the search for the aircraft was still going on.

The MH370 aircraft which was flying to Beijing, China with 239 passengers and crew, went off the radar about an hour after leaving the KL International Airport, at 12.41am in March.

The search, involving numerous nations, was launched to detect the aircraft, initially in the South China Sea and then in the southern Indian Ocean, when it was said to have deviated from its original route and ended in the area.