MH370: New search area to be announced on Thursday

Come Thursday, a new search area to locate the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 aircraft which vanished on March 8, will be disclosed, said Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said Australia would make the announcement.

"After discussions with the Australian and Chinese counterparts, we should be announcing the new area of search on Thursday.

"This is something that we have done while looking and discussing with experts from around the world.

"It is a discussion and announcement that's going to be done with the consensus of the three nations, Australia, China and Malaysia," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the launching of KLIA2 Terminal by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here on Tuesday.

Flight MH370, with 227 passengers and 12 crew which was on its way to Beijing, China went off the radar on March 8, an hour after departing from the KL International Airport at 12.41am. It was scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6.30am the same day.

A multinational search was mounted for the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, first in the South China Sea and then, after it was learnt that the plane had veered off course, in the southern Indian Ocean.

After an analysis of satellite data indicated that the plane's last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on March 24 that Flight MH370 had "ended in the southern Indian Ocean".

Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, assured that the search operation for the ill-fated MH370 would continue.

"Australia, China and Malaysia...working with experts, it is very difficult for people to claim there is conspiracy or (something) hidden from the public," he said.

On Najib's reflection on the Cabinet reshuffle, whereby the launching of klia2 today, could be his last official ceremony as acting transport minister, Hishammuddin said he was prepared to shoulder the responsibility to continue coordinating the search for the MH370 aircraft.

Yet, he said it was the prerogative of the prime minister.

"My face is synonymous with MH370. Countries in the Middle East refer me as Minister of MH370.

"I am willing to shoulder the responsibility if I am asked to continue monitoring, decide on the direction and coordinate the search for Flight MH370.

"It is not a problem because we are all in one government and our responsibility is not limited to the posts we hold but dependent on the prime minister.

"If the prime minister wants me to focus on the defence ministry and at the same time, be responsible for the search for MH370, it is something which I can handle," he said.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said he was prepared to let go of the post of transport minister from the first day he held the job.

"This is because I am only acting in the post. We had put in a lot of structures and there will be a seamless leadership transition," he said.

Najib, during the launching of KLIA2, reflected on the Cabinet reshuffle by stating that it could be the last attended by Hishammuddin as acting transport minister.

"This may be your last official function as acting transport minister," said Najib in jest.