Phase 1 of MH370 search ends in June, says Liow

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai says Malaysia will continue with the search for MH370 should the first phase end in failure. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 20, 2015.Phase One of the search mission for flight MH370 involving 60,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean will be completed by the end of this month.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the operation had covered about 52,000 sq km.

"If we still can't find the remains, Malaysia is committed to continue with the second phase next month on the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, an action committee jointly formed by Malaysia, China and Australia," he said today in George Town.

He said the second phase of the search would involve an additional area of 60,000 square kilometres.

Liow said three ships, the Fugro Equator, Fugro Discovery and GO Pheonix were involved in the deep-sea operation.

"The contract with GO Phoenix will end with the fulfilment of their contractual obligation for the first phase while the other two ships will continue with the mission."

The Malaysia Airlines flight was carrying 239 passengers and crew members when it disappeared from radar screens while heading to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on the morning of March 8, last year.

Liow also said the government would beef up maritime security in the South China Sea to ensure the safety of all ships, following the MT Orkim Harmony hijack.

"We have managed to reduce piracy close to zero in the Straits of Malacca and hope we can do the same in the South China Sea."

MT Orkim Harmony, laden with 6,000 tonnes of petrol worth RM21 million, was reported missing at 8.57 pm on June 11 while heading to Kuantan Port from Malacca. – Bernama, June 20, 2015.