‘Don’t stop searching for MH370’
Families and friends of passengers on board fateful flight voice their pleas
KUALA LUMPUR: “Please don't stop searching. Go on searching for MH370”.
These were the pleas from families and friends of passengers on board MH370 who gathered at Publika Mall here yesterday.
More than a hundred people gathered to watch video recordings of affected family members speaking about their loved one, reciting poems and even singing songs in memory of those on board the aircraft.
“It is so important that they don’t give up so easily,” said 27-year-old Grace Subathirai Nathan, whose mother Anne Daisy was on the plane.
In an emotional speech, Grace recalled first hearing the news of the missing plane from her father when she was studying in Britain.
“I remember shivering and dropping my phone on the floor.
“I was on Google, refreshing the page over and over again.
“There were so many rumours, so many photos of dead bodies being shared.
“I still miss my mother every day. I cry every day,” she said, holding back tears.
Intan Maizura Othaman, 34, whose husband, flight attendant Mohd Hazrin Hasnan was on the plane, said they want the plane to be found.
“We want to remind the Government not to stop searching.
“We know international help has been scaled down but we hope Malaysia will not stop,” she said.
The former stewardess added that she did not plan to read the interim statement as what she wanted to know “will not be there”.
Jacquita Gonzales, wife of inflight supervisor Patrick Francis Gomes, said although she was not aware of the content of the interim statement, it would be a good step if it prevents similar events from recurring.
“If it does, well and good,” she said.
On how she is coping, Jacquita said that all they could do was wait.
“Right now, we are taking one day at a time and keeping busy. That’s all we can do,” she said.
Social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, who also attended the event, said it was important to show the families and next of kin they were not alone.
“We are here to remember and to stand in solidarity with the families.
“We want them to know we are still praying for the best outcome,” she said. At the Day of Solidarity for Unity and Peace organised by the Council of Churches of Malaysia at Petaling Jaya, community leaders called on authorities to provide more substantive information.
Archbishop Julian Leow, who was also at the event attended by over 100 people, said that many were with the families in prayer and solidarity.
“We cannot feel what they are feeling but we can offer our presence and thoughts.”
Global Movement of Moderates head Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the hearts of Malaysians all over the world went out to the families, He also called for sensitivity during this trying times.
“Our statements can sometimes be insensitive. We must (not only) seek the truth, but also care for the feelings of the families involved,” he said at the event where the crowd remembered MH370 with supportive messages on banners.
Negaraku chairperson Datuk S. Ambiga argued that information in the fact sheet such as the medical history and other details of the plane crew is not necessary, and should have been kept confidential.
“We want relevant information, like about the turn back the plane made,” she said.
Ambiga also asked for the matter to be discussed in Parliament.
“(Australian Premier) Tony Abbott is going to be doing it, so why aren’t we?”