Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian authorities said today they welcome the crowdfund campaign launched by the families of MH370 passengers to help in the hunt for the missing jetliner, but asked that they share the outcome of their probe with investigators.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the families had likely launched the campaign to feel more “inclusive” in the ongoing hunt for the ill-fated jetliner and said any effort to help the search mission is appreciated.
“I’m touched by their efforts to start a fund and maybe it is a way for them to contribute and feel inclusive in our efforts,” he told reporters at Parliament here.
Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, pointed out that the search mission is a costly one as it involves highly sophisticated assets and expertise.
“I dont want to belittle their efforts... but the assets we are going to use now is very sophisticated and incurs a high cost.
“To deploy just one ship to conduct the bathymetric survey would cost US$11.6 million and US$500,000 per day to do the survey,” he said.
In Malaysian currency, the price would amount to RM37,046,340 and RM1,596,825.00 respectively.
Hishammuddin reiterated Malaysia’s support for the effort, however, noting that it helps the distraught families feel more included in the search mission, which is now entering its fourth month.
“This is how our relationship with the families has been since Day One, it is not perfect but when dealing families with 1,100 assumptions, consideration and emotions — it is not easy,” he said.
At a separate press conference later, Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said the families had every right to help in the hunt for MH370.
Read news in full 09/06/14 Pathma Subramaniam & Melissa Chi/Malaymailonline
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the families had likely launched the campaign to feel more “inclusive” in the ongoing hunt for the ill-fated jetliner and said any effort to help the search mission is appreciated.
“I’m touched by their efforts to start a fund and maybe it is a way for them to contribute and feel inclusive in our efforts,” he told reporters at Parliament here.
Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, pointed out that the search mission is a costly one as it involves highly sophisticated assets and expertise.
“I dont want to belittle their efforts... but the assets we are going to use now is very sophisticated and incurs a high cost.
“To deploy just one ship to conduct the bathymetric survey would cost US$11.6 million and US$500,000 per day to do the survey,” he said.
In Malaysian currency, the price would amount to RM37,046,340 and RM1,596,825.00 respectively.
Hishammuddin reiterated Malaysia’s support for the effort, however, noting that it helps the distraught families feel more included in the search mission, which is now entering its fourth month.
“This is how our relationship with the families has been since Day One, it is not perfect but when dealing families with 1,100 assumptions, consideration and emotions — it is not easy,” he said.
At a separate press conference later, Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said the families had every right to help in the hunt for MH370.
Read news in full 09/06/14 Pathma Subramaniam & Melissa Chi/Malaymailonline
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