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China finds satellite images of 'floating object'
China has received satellite images of a “floating object” in the southern corridor where the heightened search for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aircraft MH370 is being carried out.
The object could be debris from the plane, said Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Midway through the press conference at the Sama-Sama Hotel here, Hishammuddin interjected during the question-and-answer session with reporters that he had breaking news to announce.
“Chinese satellites have received an image of an object measuring 22 metres in length and 30 metres in width in the southern corridor.
“The Chinese government will announce more details in a couple of hours from now,” he said.
Later, the Transport Ministry clarified that the size of the object was 22.5 metres in length and 13 metres wide.
The southern corridor stretches from Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean.
“This is coming to me as quick as you are seeing it on TV right now,” he said, adding that he was also concluding the briefing early in order to pursue the new lead into the desperate global search for the plane.
“I do not have any more details. Let me investigate further and I will inform you.”
Hishammuddin was alerted about the sighting by the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the republic’s search assets are now heading towards the direction of the object.
To claims by certain parties alleging that China was facing immense difficulties in the search and rescue operation as Malaysia had not been forthcoming with information, Hishammuddin said that this was not true.
“That’s not true, I need to stress on the cooperation that we have received. We have made special efforts to cooperate and I need more details on any allegations to the contrary.”
On the communication transcript between pilots on board MH370 and the ground control, which was published by British newspaper, The Telegraph, Hishammuddin in his speech earlier said that the original transcript was with the investigation team and was being analysed.
“The transcript cannot be publicly released, but it does not indicate anything abnormal.”
Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, commenting on the same issue, said that the transcript was “inaccurate”.
When asked if the information could be dismissed entirely, Azharuddin, however, did not respond.
Cyclone warning in area where search efforts are going on
The cargo list, Hishamuddin said, would be released in due course.
“It does not show any link to anything that might have contributed to the disappearance,” he said, adding that all cargo was in compliance with international standards.
Earlier, during the press conference, Hishammuddin said that the search by the Australian authorities for floating objects picked up by a satellite off Perth had not resulted in anything so far.
“Despite improved visual sighting, there has been no sign of the objects of interest.”
Hishammuddin said the search for the MAS MH370 had been expanded to 10,500 square nautical miles in the southern corridor.
He, however, explained that harsh weather conditions, strong currents and rough seas in the area would hamper the search and rescue efforts.
“A cyclone warning has been declared for Tropical Cyclone Gillian, which is located in the southern corridor. Very strong winds and rough seas are expected there today.”
On the briefing for families, Hishammuddin, who is also the Defence Minister, said that while the matter was smooth for families in Kuala Lumpur, it was “less productive” for those in Beijing.
On the amount that had been spent for the search and rescue mission which entered its 15th day today, Hishammuddin said “that’s the best part… no one, not the Malaysian government or our partners have talked about dollars and cents… not even a rough estimate. It didn’t even cross our minds.”
Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya replied in the negative when questioned on the possibility that an upgrade on MH370′s satellite service would have helped to locate the plane.
Jauhari said the improvement was merely an upgrade in bandwidth, the amount of data transmitted per second between an aircraft and the communications satellites overhead.
“For the system that we have, we do know that it currently fulfils all our operational requirements.”
