KUALA LUMPUR: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has reiterated the government’s commitment to locate missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Paying tribute to the 239 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 777-200ER, Najib took to his Twitter account yesterday to reaffirm the government’s commitment in the multinational search-and-recovery operation for the Beijing-bound jetliner.
“On the 100th day since MH370 went missing, remembering those on board and their families.
“Malaysia remains committed to the search effort.”
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also gave an assurance that the government would continue to do its utmost in the search for the missing plane and would 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.”
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 partners — Australia and China — as well as Asean neighbours, the United States and members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
Hishammuddin said he believed Malaysia would be credited for doing its best 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 search operations for the missing plane.
“This search effort is unprecedented in scale and complexity, and 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.”
Hishammuddin 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 Fathers Day, I understand the anguish the family members are going through.
“No words can 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.”
Hishammuddin 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 Malaysians we thank you for your sacrifices and we will continue to pray for your safety in navigating the unchartered waters.”
The MH370 flight with 227 passengers and 12 crew members, went missing on the morning of March 8 about an hour after departing from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12.41am en route to Beijing.
The disappearance of the aircraft triggered the search mission, which search areas included the Straits of Malacca, the Andaman Sea, north of Indonesia and southern Indian ocean.
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