KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — The government has reaffirmed its commitment with renewed vigor to locate the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370, 100 days after it went missing.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein also gave assurance that the government would continue to do its utmost in this search and to leave no stone unturned.
“One-hundred days after MH370 went missing, its loss remains a painful void in the hearts of all Malaysians and those around the world. We cannot and will not rest until MH370 is found.
“We cannot and will not abandon the families of the crew and passengers of MH370. We will, with the grace of God, find this missing plane and so with it, begins the process of healing,” he said in a statement here today.
Hishammuddin said Malaysia was fortunate as it was not alone in this and as such, he would like to convey his special thanks to Malaysia’s Tripartite partners – Australia and China – as well as ASEAN neighbours, the United States and members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).
Hishammuddin also said that he believed Malaysia would be credited for doing the best to its ability under near-impossible circumstances and history would judge the country favourably for that.
“More than 14 weeks have passed since the Malaysian government first coordinated the search operations for the missing plane. This search effort is unprecedented in sheer scale and complexity involving 26 countries at its peak.
“Malaysia, a small but proud nation, has pioneered the way – not without criticism, showing the world that we can all work together, in the greater spirit of humanity and camaraderie,” he said.
He said incidents like this had reminded everybody about the fragility of life, and to value the ties that bind them together.
“As a father, on Father’s Day, I understand the anguish the family members are going through. No words could ease the pain of not knowing what had happened to your loved ones.
“As always, my deepest sympathies and kindest thoughts remain with the family members – wherever they may be. In these trying times, we are united in our prayers, resolute in our faith, especially as the holy month of Ramadan beckons, as we continue to hope against hope in seeking a closure to the darkest chapter in recent global aviation history,” he said.
Hishammuddin also conveyed his sincerest appreciation to the men and women who had risked their lives at the forefront in contributing to the largest search effort to date.
“On behalf of the Malaysian people, we thank you for your sacrifices and we will continue to pray for your safety in navigating the unchartered waters,” he said.
The MH370 flight with 227 passengers and 12 crew, went missing in the morning of March 8 about an hour after departing from the KL International Airport at 12.41am enroute to Beijing.
— BERNAMA
