Malaysian government would be willing to give MH370 search another shot, if presented with an offer, transport minister claims.
Malaysian government is willing to re-open the search of the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft that disappeared in 2014. However, the government expects to be first presented with considerable leads or proposals, Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters during 5th MH370 Remembrance Event on March 3, 2019.
According to Loke, the government would be interested in another collaboration with Ocean Infinity, if new technology could offer different results than the last time. Ocean Infinity specializes in collecting high resolution seabed data. In January 2018, it entered agreement with the Malaysian government for a 90-day search on a “no find, no pay” basis. After searching 112,000 km2 of ocean floor, the effort came to a halt in May 2018.
At the time, the company claim the search was fruitless despite searching well beyond the “initial 25,000 km2 target and almost the same area as the previous search achieved in 2 ½ years”. “We sincerely hope that we will be able to again offer our services in the search for MH370 in future,” it concluded.
Before employing a private company, the Australian, Malaysian and Chinese governments have spend three years searching for the MH370. After $160 million spent on the search across the 46,332 square mile area, the mission was called off in March 2017.
Denies cover up
During the 5th MH370 Remembrance Event, Loke has also refuted claims that the final MH370 investigation report was missing some key information. For more on these concerns, please see:
Malaysia Airlines the Boeing 777 jetliner went missing with 239 passengers and crew on board on March 8, 2014.