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'SAR operation for MH370 must follow procedure, law'
The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the MAS flight MH370 must follow procedure and the law that had been stipulated to avoid any duplication or information error.
Former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) managing director Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the procedures and law were stipulated in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1996 — Part 12 — Investigations of Accidents.
He said any detailed information on incidents or accidents involving aircraft in this country could only be disclosed by the appointed gazetted officers and the disclosure of information must also be based on the provision concerned.
“On aircraft accidents, the investigation has regulations that are controlled by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), there are special procedures…and, other people, apart from them cannot disclose (information) on incidents in detail because there are laws,” he told Bernama.
The MH370 flight with 227 passengers, including two infants and 12 crew members, was found missing while travelling to Beijing about two hours after departing from Kuala Lumpaur International Airport (KLIA) at 12.41am on Saturday. It should have landed in Beijing at 6.30am.
Since the shocking incident, the world community had expressed sympathy, concern and offered prayers for the incident via the social website, blogs and others.
There were also people who tried to make evaluations, speculations and their own theory on the tragedy, without thinking about the sensitivity to family members of passengers and MAS staff involved.
Abdul Aziz said those involved in the search and rescue operation could not speak or give information as they liked.
“On the other hand, they must evaluate the validity of the information and whether it can be announced to the public.
“Regarding this, if MAS is asked for the reason why the aircraft had crashed, if this is the case, they cannot give an answer because they are bound by law.
“This is because, if they give an answer (without detailed investigations made), then it will become another matter later,” said Abdul Aziz.
Abdul Aziz was among the individuals responsible for creating the Civil Aviation Regulations 1996 in the country.
He advised the people to be more patient and not issue unsubstantiated versions on the matter and instead pray that the missing aircraft could be found immediately.
“We cannot say that the management is negligent and so on because I believe they have been diligent in giving information quickly.
“At the same time, they are doing their level best in conducting the search and rescue operation for the aircraft.”
Recalling the tragedy involving the MAS air crash in Johor Baru in 1977, Abdul Aziz said this was different from the present case because the location of the MH370 aircraft was unknown.
“This is quite different from the air crash in 1977 because the aircraft crashed on land…we saw it…now, we don’t know where MH370 is, whether it has crashed. But we are still hopeful that the aircraft is safe.”
Abdul Aziz said the most important thing in the investigation of an air crash was the “black box” and “flight recorder” because they both could assist in providing the answer in the event of an incident.
“The challenge now is that the aircraft has not been found and to get the ‘black box’ and ‘flight recorder’. Once found, they can help the investigators to carry out investigations (on the cause of the crash).”
However, Abdul Aziz, who was MAS managing director from 1982 until 1992, advised all MAS staff to be optimistic in facing the tragedy and support the management.
He said MAS staff should not despair over the incident, but redouble efforts to provide the best service to its customers.
“Do not lose hope, an incident such as this should be taken as a challenge.This does not only happen to MAS, other airlines have also suffered crashes. Whatever it is, we have to overcome this (problem).
“What is important now for MAS employees is to discharge their duties sincerely and properly according to procedure and the law. This is to ensure that the national airline becomes a leading airline in the world.”
Abdul Aziz joined MAS in 1971 as its Legal Affairs Director and Company Secretary.