Media Statement
For Immediate Release
3 May 2014
I refer to the Initial Incident Report MH370, issued by the Office of the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, Ministry of Transport Malaysia days ago.
While welcomed, the preliminary report, which was made available for public viewing, raised more questions than answers.
Among other things, the Preliminary Report touched on the flight timeline, a summarised transcript of radio transmissions, follow up search and rescue (SAR) efforts, as well as a proposal to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to introduce a real time tracking system for civilian aircrafts.
Currently, there are no legal provisions requiring Malaysia Airlines to upgrade their system software in facilitating the tracking of aircrafts with greater efficiency.
I have personally raised the issue of air traffic safety as early as July 2012, and again in the aftermath of the radar system breakdown – for nearly two hours- at the Subang Airport in September 2012. i had demanded then for Malaysia’s air traffic system to be audited by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The last International Civil Aviation Organization audit took place in 2005.
As per the preliminary report, recordings from the military radar showed the possibility of an aircraft similar to MH370 flying west across Peninsular Malaysia. However, questions arising from an unidentified flying aircraft into the Malaysian airspace and our corresponding actions must be answered.
This matter should not be taken lightly as it involves the safety of travelling individuals as well as threats to the national security. It bears reminding that the September 11 attacks in America were performed using commercial jetliners.
It is hoped that the Full Report following this Preliminary Publication will prod the Malaysian government to give more attention to air safety in Malaysia and enhance existing standards including necessary software upgrades by airliners to ensure greater tracking efficiency.
In mid-April 2014, the acting Minister of Transport stated that an ICAO safety audit will be conducted at KLIA2.
The ICAO audit results must be made public soonest. At the least, it must be made available for Parliamentary scrutiny. I have been consistently pushing for such an audit since 2012 to ensure that the Malaysia will not be affected by any weaknesses and to identify the follow-up measures to improve airspace defence preparedness. We must aim to secure MH370 and avoid a repeat of such tragedy.
Nurul Izzah Anwar
Member of Parliament, Lembah Pantai
Vice President of KEADILAN
