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Australia looks to Malaysia for S$100m MH370 search fund shortfall
KUALA LUMPUR — As the cost of the underwater search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 increases, Australia is depending on Malaysia to chip in a potential A$100 million (S$100 million) shortage.
The Australian reported yesterday (Jan 22) that the revelation came after a survey vessel promised by Malaysia to partake in the search never arrived.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said Malaysia was willing to provide assets and cover the remaining cost of the prolonged search.
“Malaysia has committed assets and financial contribution to fund the balance of the cost of the underwater search,” the daily quoted Mr Truss’s spokesman.
It was reported that Australia and China have committed A$60 million and A$20 million respectively to the cost of the search.
The Joint Agency Coordination Centre, set up within Mr Truss’s department to coordinate the search, reportedly said that the underwater search may cost up to A$180 million.
Mr Truss had also said two months ago that a Chinese vessel would also join the search, but none has showed up yet.
Australia has taken a major role to locate MH370, as the presumed final resting place, in the southern Indian Ocean, is within its search and rescue zone.
The search will end once the 120,000 sq km designated area has been covered, expected in June.
Flight MH370 disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
All 227 passengers and 12 crew members aboard were presumed dead after the government declared it an accident based on international aviation rules. MALAYSIAN INSIDER
KUALA LUMPUR — As the cost of the underwater search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 increases, Australia is depending on Malaysia to chip in a potential A$100 million (S$100 million) shortage.
The Australian reported yesterday (Jan 22) that the revelation came after a survey vessel promised by Malaysia to partake in the search never arrived.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said Malaysia was willing to provide assets and cover the remaining cost of the prolonged search.
“Malaysia has committed assets and financial contribution to fund the balance of the cost of the underwater search,” the daily quoted Mr Truss’s spokesman.
It was reported that Australia and China have committed A$60 million and A$20 million respectively to the cost of the search.
The Joint Agency Coordination Centre, set up within Mr Truss’s department to coordinate the search, reportedly said that the underwater search may cost up to A$180 million.
Mr Truss had also said two months ago that a Chinese vessel would also join the search, but none has showed up yet.
Australia has taken a major role to locate MH370, as the presumed final resting place, in the southern Indian Ocean, is within its search and rescue zone.
The search will end once the 120,000 sq km designated area has been covered, expected in June.
Flight MH370 disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
All 227 passengers and 12 crew members aboard were presumed dead after the government declared it an accident based on international aviation rules. MALAYSIAN INSIDER
