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MH370 Press Conference Transcript

The Malaysian PM provided an update on the search for missing flight MH370, which disappeared one week prior. New satellite data indicates the plane's last communication was in one of two corridors, either in Central Asia or the southern Indian Ocean. This data shows the plane's communications were disabled before reaching Malaysia's east coast and its transponder was turned off near the Malaysia-Vietnam border, indicating deliberate action on board. The Malaysian and international authorities are refocusing the investigation on the crew and passengers based on this information. The nature and scope of the search operation is changing as more information is analyzed to help locate the aircraft.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
9 views3 pages

MH370 Press Conference Transcript

The Malaysian PM provided an update on the search for missing flight MH370, which disappeared one week prior. New satellite data indicates the plane's last communication was in one of two corridors, either in Central Asia or the southern Indian Ocean. This data shows the plane's communications were disabled before reaching Malaysia's east coast and its transponder was turned off near the Malaysia-Vietnam border, indicating deliberate action on board. The Malaysian and international authorities are refocusing the investigation on the crew and passengers based on this information. The nature and scope of the search operation is changing as more information is analyzed to help locate the aircraft.

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This is the transcript of some of the press conference given by Malaysian PM Najib Razak with an update on the missing

MH370 plane. "7 days ago, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared. We realise this is an excruciating time for the families of those on board. No words can describe the pain they mist be going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. At the beginning of the search operation I ordered the search area to be broadened... Since day 1, the Malaysian authorities have worked hand in hand with our international partners, including neighbouring countries, the Aviation Authority and an international search force, many of who have been on the ground since Sunday... It is widely understood that this has been a situation without precedent. There has been intense speculation. We understand the desperate need for information. On behalf of the families and those watching around the world, we have a responsibility to the investigation to only release information that has been corroborated. And our primary motivation has always been to find the plane... In the first phase of the search operation we searched near MH370's last known position in the South China Sea. At the same time, it was brought to our attention that based on their primary radar an aircraft, the identity of which could not be confirmed, made a turn back. The primary radar data showed the aircraft proceeding on the flight path, which took it to an area north of the straights of Malacca. Given this credible data, which was subsequently corroborated with the relevant international authorities, we expanded the area of search to include the straights of Malacca and later the Andaman sea. Early this morning I was briefed by the investigation team: the FAA, NTSB, AAIB, the Malaysian authorities and the acting minister of transport, on new information that shed further light on what happened to MH370. Based on new satellite communication, we can say with a high degree of certainty, that the aircraft communications were disabled just before the aircraft reached the east coast of Malaysia. Shortly afterwards, near the border between Malaysia and Vietnamese air traffic control, the aircraft transponder was switched off. From this point onwards, the RMA data showed that an aircraft, which was believed but not confirmed, to be MH370 did indeed turn back. It then flew in a westerly direction, back over Malaysia before turning north west.

Up until the point at which it left military primary radar coverage, these movements are consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane. The Malaysian authorities have refocused their investigation onto the crew and the passengers onboard. Today, based on raw satellite date obtained from the satellite data service provider, we can confirm that the aircraft shown in the primary radar data WAS flight MH370. After much forensic work and deliberation the FAA, NTSB, AAIB and the Malaysian authorities working separately on the same data concur. According to the new data, the last confirmed communication between the plane and the satellite was at 8:11am Malaysian time on Saturday 8th March. The investigation team is making further calculations which will indicate how far the aircraft might have flown after the last point of contact. This will help us to refine the search. Due to the type of satellite data, we are unable to confirm the precise location of the plane when it last made contact with the satellite. However, based on this new data, the aviation authorities of Malaysia and their international counterparts have determined that the planes last communication with the satellite was in one of two possible corridors a northern corridor stretching approx. from the Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Northern Thailand. Or a southern corridor spreading across Indonesia to southern Indian Ocean. The investigation team is working to further refine their information. In view of this latest information, Malaysian authorities have refocused their investigation into the crew and passengers onboard. Despite media reports that the plane was hijacked, I wish to be very clear we are still investigating all possibilities as to what caused MH370 to deviate from its original flight path. This new satellite information has a significant impact on the nature and scope of the search operation. We are ending our operations in the South China Sea. We are working with the relevant countries to request all information relevant to the search including radar data. As the two new corridors involve many countries, the relevant foreign embassies have been invited to a briefing on the new information today by the Malaysian foreign ministry and the technical experts. I have also instructed the Foreign Ministry to provide a briefing to foreign governments which have passengers on the plane. This morning Malaysian Airlines have been informing the families of passengers and crew of this development.

Clearly, the search for MH370 has entered a new phase. Over the last 7 days we have followed every lead and looked into every possibility. For the family and friends of everyone involved, we hope this new information brings us one step closer to finding the plane.

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The search operation for MH370 was initially characterized by a phase focusing on the aircraft's last known position in the South China Sea. However, as new radar and satellite data emerged, it entered a second stage where the search areas were broadened to include the Straits of Malacca and the Andaman Sea. This re-characterization was due to credible data and satellite communications indicating that MH370 could have deviated significantly from its intended flight path .

New satellite data significantly influenced the search strategy for MH370 by identifying two possible corridors where the aircraft might have traveled: a northern corridor stretching from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Northern Thailand, and a southern corridor across Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean. This new data led to the cessation of operations in the South China Sea and shifted the focus to these new potential locations, therefore refining and expanding the scope of the search operation .

International cooperation was crucial in the search for MH370, as noted by Malaysian PM Najib Razak. The Malaysian authorities worked closely with international partners, including neighboring countries, the Aviation Authority, and an international search force. Many international partners had been on the ground from early on in the search efforts . This cooperation allowed the refinement of the searches based on new data and the expansion of search areas, indicating a high level of collaboration and trust between the involved parties .

The decision to end operations in the South China Sea marked a strategic shift in the search strategy for MH370. This move was based on new satellite data indicating that the area was no longer relevant to the aircraft's possible flight corridors. The significance of this decision lies in its demonstration of adaptability and responsiveness in the search operations, reflecting the authorities' willingness to realign resources and efforts based on credible evidence, aiming to enhance the efficacy of the search endeavors .

The Malaysian government took several measures to keep international stakeholders informed about the MH370 investigation's progress. This included inviting relevant foreign embassies to a briefing on new information, providing a briefing to foreign governments with nationals onboard the plane, and continuously updating families about developments. These steps highlight Malaysia's commitment to transparency and international collaboration during the search operation .

The disabling of MH370's aircraft communications suggested intentional interference, thus implying potential human involvement in the deviation from the flight path. This led Malaysian authorities to refocus their investigation on the crew and passengers, considering the likelihood of deliberate actions onboard. This development deeply impacted the investigational dynamics, prompting a reassessment of possible scenarios beyond technical failure .

PM Najib Razak addressed the speculations of hijacking by clarifying that, despite media reports, all possibilities were still being investigated regarding why MH370 deviated from its original flight path. This statement served to manage public speculation and maintain an open and unbiased approach in the investigation, reaffirming the commitment to explore every potential cause without prematurely drawing conclusions .

PM Najib Razak emphasized the responsibility to release only corroborated information to prevent misinformation and speculation, which could exacerbate the anguish of the families and confuse the public. Ensuring that only verified data was disclosed underscored the commitment to integrity and accuracy in the highly sensitive investigation, balancing public demand for information with the necessity of a truthful narrative .

In response to the radar data showing the last known movements of MH370, Malaysian authorities broadened the search area and refocused their investigations on the plane's crew and passengers. The radar data suggested that the aircraft had made a turn back and flown over Malaysia in a northwesterly direction, recording movements that were consistent with deliberate action by someone on board. This led the authorities to adjust their search parameters and coordinate more closely with international entities .

Malaysian authorities identified that the type of satellite data available did not allow for precise location determination of MH370 at the last point of contact. This lack of precise location led to the identification of two large potential corridors (northern and southern), significantly broadening the search area and complicating search operations. It highlighted the need for further calculations and international cooperation to effectively refine search efforts, adding complexity to an already unprecedented situation .

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