MH370 and air traffic control communication shows nothing abnormal, says Hishammuddin
Putrajaya
today released the full transcript (see below) of the conversation between the pilots on Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 and the air traffic control in Kuala Lumpur, from just before its take off at 12.25 am until the final sign-off at 1.19am when the pilot was told to contact Ho Chi Minh City's air traffic control.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic) said in a statement that the transcript had been shared with the families of passengers aboard the flight.
"There is no indication of anything abnormal in the transcript," Hishammuddin said, adding it had initially been held back as part of police investigations.
"Previously, MAS had stated initial investigations indicated that the voice which signed off was that of the co-pilot, Fariq Abdul Hamid.
"Police are working to confirm this belief, and forensic examination of the actual recording is ongoing," Hishammuddin said in the statement. Hishammuddin, however, said both the international investigations team and Malaysia were still in agreement that MH370's movements were consistent with a deliberate action by someone aboard.
"Up until the point at which it left military primary radar coverage, MH370's movement were consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane," he said.
The Guardian reported the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) as saying that bad weather continues to hamper the ongoing search for MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean.
The English daily also reported that Chinese search ships have discounted 11 suspect objects recovered from the ocean in the search zone.
According to the captain of the Haixun 01, one of eight Chinese vessels involved in the operation, none of the objects were related to MH370.
The Guardian also quoted Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as saying the search operation was the most challenging he had ever faced.
Houston, the former Australian defence chief, has been appointed to oversee and coordinate the hunt for MH370.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin revealed a closed-door briefing for the families of the passengers will be held in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
The briefing will be led by the Department of Civil Aviation and Malaysia Airlines and moderated by the Prime Minister’s special envoy to China, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting.
Technical experts from Malaysia, China and Australia will be participating in the briefing, with the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia also in attendance.
The briefing is being held to explain to the families and relatives why the search for MH370 is ongoing in the middle of the southern Indian Ocean.
It will be broadcast live to Beijing for families and next-of-kin there who are waiting for the latest news and updates. – April 1, 2014.
