Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement which was read out at a press conference on Mar 15, 2014.
"Seven 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 must be going through. Our thoughts
and our prayers are with them.
I have been appraised of the on-going search operation round the clock.
At the beginning of the operation, I ordered the search area to be
broadened; I instructed the Malaysian authorities to share all relevant
information freely and transparently with the wider investigation team;
and I requested that our friends and allies join the operation. As of
today, 14 countries, 43 ships and 58 aircraft are involved in the
search. I wish to thank all the governments for their help at such a
crucial time.
Since day one, the Malaysian authorities have worked hand-in-hand with
our international partners – including neighbouring countries, the
aviation authorities and a multinational search force – many of whom
have been here on the ground since Sunday.
We have shared information in real time with authorities who have the
necessary experience to interpret the data. We have been working nonstop
to assist the investigation. And we have put our national security
second to the search for the missing plane.
It is widely understood that this has been a situation without precedent.
We have conducted search operations over land, in the South China Sea,
the Straits of Malacca, the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean. At every
stage, we acted on the basis of verified information, and we followed
every credible lead. Sometimes these leads have led nowhere.
There has been intense speculation. We understand the desperate need for
information on behalf of the families and those watching around the
world. But we have a responsibility to the investigation and the
families 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 by the Royal Malaysian Air Force 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 a flight path which took it to an area north of the
Straits of Malacca.
Given this credible data, which was subsequently corroborated with the
relevant international authorities, we expanded the area of search to
include the Straits of Malacca and, later, to the Andaman Sea.
Early this morning I was briefed by the investigation team – which
includes the FAA, NTSB, the AAIB, the Malaysian authorities and the
Acting Minister of Transport – on new information that sheds further
light on what happened to MH370.
Based on new satellite information, we can say with a high degree of
certainty that the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting
System (ACARS) was disabled just before the aircraft reached the East
coast of peninsular Malaysia. Shortly afterwards, near the border
between Malaysian and Vietnamese air traffic control, the aircraft’s
transponder was switched off.
From this point onwards, the Royal Malaysian Air Force primary radar
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 peninsular Malaysia before turning northwest. Up until the point at
which it left military primary radar coverage, these movements are
consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane.
Today, based on raw satellite data that was 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 investigations team is making further calculations which will
indicate how far the aircraft may have flown after this 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 plane’s
last communication with the satellite was in one of two possible
corridors: a northern corridor stretching approximately from the border
of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to northern Thailand, or a southern
corridor stretching approximately from Indonesia to the southern Indian
ocean. The investigation team is working to further refine the
information.
In view of this latest development the Malaysian authorities have
refocused their investigation into the crew and passengers on board.
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 and reassessing the redeployment of our assets. 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 full briefing to foreign
governments which had passengers on the plane. This morning, Malaysia
Airlines has been informing the families of the passengers and crew of
these new developments.
Clearly, the search for MH370 has entered a new phase. Over the last
seven days, we have followed every lead and looked into every
possibility. For the families and friends of those involved, we hope
this new information brings us one step closer to finding the plane.
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