Tomorrow is the second anniversary of the disappearance of MH370.
This means, over 20 countries, from Malaysia to Australia to France have been involved in a highly expensive search effort for two years now.
The last substantial news from the search operation was in July 2015, when a piece from a Boeing 777 was found on the shores of the French Reunion Island. It was later confirmed by investigators to be the flaperon of MH370.
The world is looking for an answer. Malaysians are looking for answers and we will not give up because this is a question of national security as much as it is a matter of grave concern for families of the victims.
Why national security? Because if we do not deal with the root cause of the problem, there will be future reocurrences.
Najib administration refused to answer any questions
The opposition had raised many questions about MH370 in and outside the Parliament. Yet, from the first day, the government has refused to provide any substantial information.
My parliamentary question in June 2014 on the important subject of military negligence for not taking action despite detecting MH370 on a rogue path was rejected on the pretext of it being a “secret” (perkara rahsia):
Sim Chee Keong minta Menteri Pertahanan menyatakan secara terperinci radar tentera di pengkalan mana yang telah mengesan MH370 beberapa jam selepas ia hilang dari radar sivil dan syarikat mana yang membekal serta menguruskan radar tersebut? Apakah tindakan lanjut terhadap kecuaian itu?
I have repeatedly call for a parliamentary select committee on this issue with the view to publish a white paper on this landmark aviation crisis affecting not just Malaysia and Malaysians but which has global implication. Yet these was rejected with silence from the government in the last two years.
I have called for the publication of the results by all authorities involved in the investigation – including the Department of Civil Aviation, the military, the police as well as the Joint Investigation Team. Other than the Interim Report published ONE year after the incident, we have no other official reports released to the public.
Especially of concern is the police investigation notably on pilot Captain Zahrie Shah, given that he has been implicated on numerous occasions as “chief suspect” by the police. The government must provide clear answers to these serious allegations so as to clear the name of the pilot and his family if he was innocent.
One year after Interim Report – what’s next?
On the so-called Interim Report – it was clear that investigators had found many shortcomings, non-compliances and weaknesses in our national airline, our aviation authority and our military.
There was even a breach of international protocol by Ho Chih Min, under the terms stipulated by the Operational Letter of Agreement between the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia and Vietnam Air Traffic Management.
One year had passed since the Interim Report, what has happened to the various non-compliances and negligences highlighted? No one can tell, even after our repeated questioning.
Risk of MH370 looming large with so many unanswered questions
The scary part is, no one knows if these problems have been resolved. This means, all of us are flying daily with the shadow of MH370 looming over us, not knowing if our flight will be the next MH370.
The world demands an answer. Malaysians demand an answer. Hundreds of millions of taxpayers money have gone into the investigation, and yet, the Najib administration seems to be zealously guarding its reports and results. Malaysians, especially families of MH370 passengers and crew and the world at large deserved to know the answer now.
My prayers and thoughts are with MH370 and their families.