Search for MH370 suspended indefinitely

PETALING JAYA: The search for the ill-fated MH370 has been suspended indefinitely effective today, Malaysia, Australia and China said in a joint statement.
The Tripartite Joint Communique said this was following the completion of the search of the 120,000²km area where experts thought the missing plane, carrying 239 passengers and crew, had gone down.
"Today the last search vessel has left the underwater search area. MH370 has not been located in the search area in the southern Indian Ocean.
"Despite every effort using the best science available, cutting edge technology, as well as modelling and advice from highly skilled professionals, unfortunately, the search has not been able to locate the aircraft.
"To date no new information has also been discovered to determine the specific location of the aircraft. Accordingly, the search for MH370 has been suspended," it said today.
The joint communique said the suspension was consistent with decisions made by the three countries in the July 2016's Ministerial Tripartite meeting in Putrajaya.
The statement was jointly signed by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Australian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester and People's Republic of China Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng.
Later in a press conference, Liow confirmed that the search, which cost in excess of RM500 million, had been suspended until further credible evidence was found.
"This is a tripartite decision. If there is any new clues on the whereabouts of the plane, then we will convene a meeting on the next course of action," he said after officiating the national-level Chinese New Year road safety campaign, here, today.
Liow said it was unfortunate that the search team was unable to find the plane despite its best efforts and commitment, and that he remained hopeful new information would come to light.
The Boeing 777 went off the radar and vanished while flying to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur in March 2014.
Meanwhile, Liow said the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) and the Kejara demerit point system are expected to be implemented by April this year.
He said there would also be an additional seven Awas cameras, on top of the existing 14, to be installed nationwide, including one in Pagoh where a recent fatal bus crash took place.
"The Road Transport Department is in the midst of upgrading its system. We should be able to see system implemented in two to three months," he said, adding that he hoped it would reduce the number of road accidents in the country.
Earlier in his speech, Liow noted that there has been a total of 521,466 road accidents recorded in 2016 compared to 489,606 in 2015, with a total of 7,152 and 6,706 deaths respectively for the two years.
Liow also did not dismiss the possibility of reviewing the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fees of RM10 for five years for non-Malaysian registered vehicles entering the country to mirror that of Singapore, once the system kicks in.
Singapore currently charges S$35 (RM109) for VEP and toll charges on foreign cars.
His statement came after the republic introduced a S$6.40 (RM20) reciprocal road charge to foreign-registered cars mirroring Malaysia, on top of the VEP and toll charges.
"Yes, we will review and study from time to time. We will also continue engaging the Singapore government, and get all the feedback before making a decision," he said.