We have given our all in search for MH370, says Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today that Malaysia had given its full commitment to the search and rescue efforts for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Najib said the unexpected disappearance of the aircraft had seen an unprecedented search and rescue operation which had superseded national security.

"Malaysia has given everything to find the flight and at this time, we have received assistance from our friends from all over the world," Najib said at the opening of the Putrajaya Forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

"Since the search began more than a month ago, we have seen Chinese vessels entering Vietnam's waters.

"We have shared and received data from military radar. The priority for MH370 has been placed above national security."

Najib said this was made possible through assistance and cooperation from Asean member countries.

"But the Asean countries were also dependent on relationships with countries outside the regional body," Najib said.

"Our next task is to strengthen Asean including having a bigger security framework," he added.

Putrajaya's handling of the MH370 crisis has received widespread criticism both locally and abroad.

A poll commissioned by The Malaysian Insider has revealed that a majority of Malaysians felt that Putrajaya had been less than truthful about the MH370 tragedy.

The survey, carried out by independent pollster Merdeka Center, showed that out of the 1,029 respondents, 54% said Putrajaya was not transparent in releasing information about flight MH370. 26% of those polled said the government had been truthful while 20% were unsure.

The sentiments echo an allegation by Chinese relatives of the 227 passengers on board the missing jetliner, that Putrajaya has not been forthcoming with information about the flight. – April 14, 2014.