Kuala Lumpur: Today marks 11 years since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, and Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to continue the search based on credible leads, aiming to provide long-awaited answers to the families of the victims. The Ministry of Transport (MOT), in a statement today, announced that in line with the Cabinet’s decision on December 13 last year, the government has approved a proposal by Ocean Infinity (United Kingdom) to recommence the search operation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the new search will cover approximately 15,000 square kilometers in the Southern Indian Ocean. This operation will be conducted on a ‘no find, no fee’ basis, meaning payment will only be made if the aircraft wreckage is discovered. The statement emphasized the responsibility to pursue all credible leads in locating MH370’s final resting place, aiming to bring closure to the families of those on board.

MOT is aware of the high public interest in the search effort and is actively finalizing a new search agreement, in line with Malaysian government procedures. It also stated that the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have appointed accredited representatives to provide technical support to the mission. The government appreciates the close cooperation and assistance from all parties involved in this complex and challenging search effort.

The government expressed its deepest sympathy to the families of the passengers and crew of MH370, acknowledging that although time passes, it does not diminish the grief and uncertainty felt by the families. Efforts to seek answers remain ongoing. On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 departed Kuala Lumpur for Beijing with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board. However, the aircraft vanished and remains missing to this day.

Ocean Infinity previously conducted a search operation in the Southern Indian Ocean, covering 25,000 square kilometers from January to June 2018, but no wreckage was found.