HISHAM: MAY MISSION RUN SMOOTHLY
Minister shares his experience in coordinating search for aircraft
“Ipray that the mission to find Flight MH370 by Ocean Infinity Limited goes smoothly as we all want to know what happened,” said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said the tragedy left a deep and lasting impact on him and other Malaysians, especially family members and friends of the people on board the flight.
Hishammuddin, who was acting transport minister at the time of the incident, urged everyone affected to remain strong and patient.
“The MH370 tragedy is close to my heart. I always pray that there will be an end to it so that the families will have an answer.
“I still remember having to handle the case when I was the acting transport minister. I had made the family members of those on board Flight MH370 a priority.
“If I was in their position, I too would have wondered whether the investigation or search would result in anything that would give me relief or closure.”
He said this at the “Karnival Orang Felda Sembrong Kita” in Felda Ulu Belitong here yesterday. Present were his wife, Datin Seri Tengku Marsilla Tengku Abdullah, and Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Hishammuddin was commenting on his experience in coordinating the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 after it went missing.
MH370, a Boeing 777 aircraft, was carrying 239 passengers and crew members on its way to Beijing on March 8, 2014, after departing from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport about midnight when it went missing.
In January, private exploration company Ocean Infinity Ltd began its search for Flight MH370, and aimed to find the wreckage by June or July this year.
The new search mission involves oceanography analysis equipment and a high-technology vessel. It began at a remote area in the Indian Ocean with the hope of solving one of the biggest mysteries in aviation history.
Previously, a search mission led by Australia covered an area of 120,000 sq km in the western edge of the continent for 28 months with no sign of the aircraft. The search was called off in January last year.
Hishammuddin, who is Sembrong member of parliament, said the tragedy was unforgettable.
“Just imagine looking for an answer for something that might not have an answer.
“However, we have to thank the foreign governments that cooperated with Malaysia to search for the wreckage.
“This was possible because we have a lot of friends who have the relevant technology and are willing to help.”