Hisham to ensure duties are passed to transport minister seamlessly

PUTRAJAYA: Outgoing acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will continue to assist newly appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai on matters related to Flight MH370.
He said the duties of the ministerial post will be passed from him to Liow gradually and seamlessly.
“I cannot run away (from this matter) as I am synonymous with MH370. Even leaders in ministries identify me as the ‘MH370 minister’,” he said at the handing over of the post to Liow today.
“But I will continue to assist Liow and also those involved in the search for the missing airplane,” he said, adding that he does not mind being present with Liow during press conferences regarding the flight, which went missing on March 8.
Hishammuddin, who is defence minister, said that with the MH370 search entering the next undersea search phase, there will be more press conferences by the four sub-committees involved.
He also told reporters that the Transport Ministry, being an important one, needs a full-time minister.
“I am happy to have an old friend (Liow) to head the ministry,” Hishammuddin, who has been the acting transport minister for more than a year.
Meanwhile, Liow said he will extend his cooperation and support in the search for the missing MH370 and will work together with other relevant authorities and countries.
“There are a lot of hearsay and false reports. We need to get (information) straight from the horse’s mouth,” he said.
The MCA president said he will leave for Canberra, Australia soon to meet Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) chief Angus Houston to get the latest update on the search.
Liow will also be visiting China and Australia to establish ties with his counterparts in both countries.