MH370: Air traffic controllers on duty will face action

KUALA LUMPUR -- The air traffic controllers on duty when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014 will face action for not following standard operating procedures in dealing with the disappearance of the jetliner, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said an internal committee would be formed immediately by the Transport Ministry to determine the type of action that can be taken against them.

"I have instructed the Transport Ministry's secretary-general to set up the committee and the decision on the form of action that will be taken (against the ATCs concerned) will be made known in about a month," he told reporters at Parliament's lobby today.

According to him, some of the ATCs concerned who at the time were staff of the Department of Civil Aviation were now with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

Not complying to the SOPs were revealed in the report on MH370 released by the Malaysian International Civil Aviation Organisation Annexe 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370, yesterday.

At the same time, Loke confirmed the resignation of Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman as CAAM chairman on 14 days notice.

"I'm not saying about any wrongdoing but based on the report, he has resigned. There's no report against anybody. According to the report there was breach of SOPs and he was the Director-General (of the DCA) then. Now what he is doing is resigning to take accountability," he said.

Asked if any action would be taken against Azharuddin, Loke said this would depend if there were further investigations.

MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

Earlier, Loke when tabling a special motion in the Dewan Rakyat on the report, said the investigation team had analysed the air turn back the ill-fated plane made which did not comply with its flight route and the air traffic control operations then.

Crew profiles, airworthiness of the jet, maintenance records, satellite communication records, aircraft debris, the organisation structure and management of DCA and MAS and as well cargo consignments on board were also analysed, he said.

"In relation to this, the government is studying the safety recommendations made in the report and will take the appropriate remedial measures to prevent air accidents in future.

"At the same time, the government will also carry out investigations and take action over any wrongdoing based on the existing laws," he said.

At the session. Loke also recorded his appreciation to Datuk Kok Soo Chon, the <i>Investigator In Charge, </i> the Malaysian ICAO Annexe 13 Safety Investigation Team on MH370 and all involved for conducting a fair and transparent investigation.

"The release of this report shows the commitment and transparency of Malaysia in fulfiling its responsibility as a signatory of the Chicago Convention and Annexe 13.

"The investigation team was given total freedom to conduct its investigation and no changes whatsoever were made in the report. The Cabinet during its meeting on July 11, 2008 was briefed on the report," he added.

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