Search for MH370 to resume, says Loke

The Star

The Malaysian government will resume the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.  He said he would make every effort to convince Cabinet to sign a contract with Ocean Infinity to restart the search operations.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3cb7mwax   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00 So why isn't the government eager? What credible reasons might there be?

00:07 The 10 years remembrance not only commemorates the lives that were lost,

00:14 but also to underscore the need to make things right.

00:19 The tragedy was a wake-up call to the aviation sector at home and abroad.

00:25 The government has taken the Malaysian International Civil Aviation Organisation's

00:30 Annex 13 Safety Investigation for MH370 report very seriously,

00:37 and implemented the necessary changes to enhance the aviation's safety.

00:43 Internationally, Malaysia also supports IKO's continuous effort to strengthen the global aircraft tracking regime.

00:53 Meaningful changes have been made to prevent a repeat of this tragedy.

00:59 But I am also acutely aware that the task remains incomplete.

01:04 Various efforts have been made at the international level to find the lost aircraft.

01:10 It pains us that the search mission for the aircraft has yet to provide the closure

01:16 sought by necks of kins of MH370 victims.

01:21 The Malaysian government's position is consistent.

01:25 We will commission a further search operation when new information and credible evidence is ascertained.

01:35 To this end, and with the latest proposal by Ocean Infinity,

01:41 and the one that was mentioned by Mr Nadenh just now,

01:45 the Ministry of Transport are ready to invite Ocean Infinity to Malaysia

01:51 to discuss the proposal of a no-fine, no-fee proposal.

01:58 We are waiting for Ocean Infinity to provide the suitable dates,

02:07 and I will meet them any time that they are ready to come to Malaysia.

02:14 (Applause)

02:17 The Malaysian government is steadfast in our resolve to locate MH370.

02:24 I hope the families and friends of the victims will remain strong.

02:29 You have our deepest sympathies and will always be our thoughts and prayers.

02:34 More importantly, we will stand by you.

02:38 As the Minister representing the Malaysian government to be here today,

02:44 it is not just to express our solidarity,

02:47 but it is a commitment and a promise that the search will go on.

02:54 (Applause)

02:58 And I stand before you and make this promise

03:03 that I will do everything possible to get the Cabinet's approval

03:08 to sign a new contract with Ocean Infinity for the search to resume as soon as possible.

03:15 (Applause)

03:20 I am glad that there is some progress in some of the new research and new technologies

03:28 which have been presented,

03:30 and we really hope that the search can find the plane

03:36 and to give the truth to the next of kin.

03:40 And we all want to provide closure for the families.

03:46 How soon could you meet with Ocean Infinity this year?

03:49 Anytime. As I said, if they can come tomorrow, I will meet them tomorrow.

03:52 Minister, have you shared this information with Australia yet?

03:56 What role might they play?

03:57 Sorry?

03:58 Have you shared any of this information with the Australian government yet?

04:01 And what role might they play if it is soon?

04:04 No, we are not in touch with the Australian government yet,

04:07 but once Ocean Infinity has finalised their proposal,

04:11 definitely we have to be in touch with the Australian government to get their cooperation

04:16 so that the search to immediately starts.

04:20 Do you need the Cabinet's approval on the search?

04:23 Sorry, go ahead.

04:24 Do you need the approval from the Cabinet before the search is resumed?

04:30 Of course, any contractual obligation needs Cabinet approval

04:33 because it involves financial implications.

04:37 The previous contract has ended because the previous contract was the search in 2017

04:44 and it was ended in 2018.

04:46 So right now it is a fresh proposal by Ocean Infinity.

04:50 If we start with this proposal based on a no fine, no fee policy,

04:56 even though it is no fine, no fee,

04:58 but we anticipate, if let's say we start into a contract with Ocean Infinity,

05:02 we hope that the claim is found.

05:04 And once the claim is found, there is financial implication to the Government of Malaysia.

05:08 It is not that we are not committed to it, definitely we are committed to it,

05:12 but we need the Cabinet to approve the proposal.

05:16 But I am very, very confident that the Government of Malaysia and the Cabinet will approve such proposal.

05:23 [Music]

05:34 [Music]

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