PRESS STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS’ EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION OF THE MH370- 18 MARCH 2014 Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon. 1. I stand here today to brief you on the efforts taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to locate the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 370 since 8 March 2014. I must also emphasize that my Ministry’s commitment is to continue to assist and coordinate the Malaysian Government’s efforts to find the missing plane and that all passengers are safe. 2. I therefore wish to underline that Wisma Putra will do its best and will spare no efforts to help find MH 370 with the help of our neighbors and allies in the international community. 3. My briefing will only touch on diplomatic efforts taken thus far by Malaysia, and I shall not cover areas such as technical or the investigation process. Ladies and Gentlemen, 4. Malaysia is indeed going through one of its darkest days and my thoughts and prayers are with those on board MH 370. My deepest sympathy goes out to all their grieving family members. 5. I wish to inform that on Saturday, 8 March 2014, the Ministry of Transport notified Wisma Putra of the disappearance of flight MH 370 and its 239 passengers and crew members. They are 14 different nationalities on board. 6. MAS through Ministry of Transport, has requested for Wisma Putra to notify the affected foreign Diplomatic Missions in Malaysia whose citizens were onboard the aircraft. 7. On the same day the incident was reported, I spoke to my counterparts from Vietnam and Singapore to request assistance from both governments for the SAR operation. 8. Then, on Sunday, 9 March, I spoke with the Foreign Minister of China to inform him of the recent developments on the disappearance of MH370. I was pleased when he informed me that China would send its task force to Malaysia for the SAR operation. On 10 March, the Australian Foreign Minister called me to inform of Australia’s readiness to assist. 9. On Sunday, 16 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France called me to convey his sympathy on the disappearance of MH370. He also informed that the Government of France is ready to assist in the SAR operation with two French experts dispatched to Malaysia. Three officials from the Analyses Office for the Security of Civil Aviation (BEA) France have subsequently arrived in Malaysia to assist and we are grateful for this support. 10. I must also, express gratitude to all countries and International agencies. This has strengthened our SAR efforts thus far and we hope that the assistance would lead to a positive outcome. 11. As have been briefed earlier by the PM and Acting Minister of Transport, the support we have received from friends all over the world has been overwhelming. We are indeed touched by the positive responses given during a critical time of need. 12. I also wish to inform that our Prime Minister has led Malaysia’s efforts to seek assistance and cooperation from his counterparts. The Prime Minister has had telephone conversations with the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan as well as the Prime Ministers of India, Bangladesh, Australia, Vietnam and China. 13. During his telephone conversations, the Prime Minister updated his counterparts on the status of the SAR operation of MH 370 and requested the assistance from countries where the aircraft might have overflew their airspace. The Prime Minister received assurances from leaders of the countries concerned that they would be ready to extend their assistance. 14. At the Ministerial level, the Deputy Foreign Minister had given a briefing for Foreign Missions on Saturday, 15 March. The briefing was held following the Press Conference by the Prime Minister, earlier the same day. They were debriefed on new information received as well as to request for countries involved to extend their assistance to locate MH 370 in the new areas identified. 15. The second briefing for Foreign Missions by the Deputy Foreign Minister was held on Sunday, 16 March. He has requested the cooperation of Foreign Missions to obtain assets and SAR assistance as well as radar recordings and satellite images that could provide a lead on the location of the aircraft. Ladies and Gentlemen, 16. Apart from what I have explained, Wisma Putra has also assisted the SAR efforts by coordinating the diplomatic clearance for assets used in the SAR operation. With the current development in the search for MH370, Wisma Putra and MINDEF are actively securing the diplomatic clearance for the assets from the relevant countries that are involved in the SAR Operations in the Northern and Southern corridors. 17. Following the new development evolved on Sunday, 16 March, we have again approached selected foreign governments by sending diplomatic notes to 25 countries. We hope we will be able to obtain assistance and support of the countries along the Northern and Southern corridors of the possible flight path as well as countries that have satellite assets to help in the SAR of flight MH370. 18. The unprecedented event of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has proven that greater cooperation among nations is of paramount importance. We are confident that we will continue to receive positive responses and support from friendly countries in effort to bring an answer to this mystery and tragedy. For this reason, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all countries that have lent us support. Wisma Putra will continue to place our utmost priority to facilitate and coordinate our government’s effort to search for MH370. 19. Let us hope and pray that we will be able to find MH 370 and eventually relieve the anguish facing the family members and friends of those on board. Thank you.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 11:03:50 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015