MH370: High Commissioner defends Malaysia's efforts

The Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi defended the Malaysian government’s efforts in the search of the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aircraft saying it is doing all it can to finally put an end to the mystery surrounding the incident.

Hazizi told Astro AWANI via a phone interview, the Malaysian High Commission in London had been informed of protest being held by angry relatives of Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 in the city.

“We had been informed of the protest the previous day by Malaysian students. With this information, we had prepared ourselves to face any eventuality and safeguard our compound for the 140 Chinese protesters the following day,” Hazizi said.

Most of the protesters were Chinese nationals living in London and that no Malaysians had joined the protest.

Hazizi said the protesters had marched peacefully to the High Commission and ended at 5pm, an hour earlier than scheduled.

“They didn’t get much response from the public, so they called it off at around 5pm and handed over a memorandum to us,” he added.

According to Hazizi, the memorandum did not contain any new demands and some of them had already been carried out.

“For example, the memorandum had demanded for the search efforts for the missing flight MH370 be continued, which is currently underway.

“If any of them want to meet me, I would definitely allow them to come in the High Commission and discuss their demands,” he said.

Among the demands:

1. The Malaysian government continue to search for the missing MAS plane

2. The Malaysian government disclose in detail the search finding they already have in the future communicate those findings with the Chinese Government.

3. The Malaysian government and Malaysia Airlines continue to offer assistance and information to the passenger’s next-of-kin.

4. The Malaysian government and MAS work together in providing the public regular updates regarding the search efforts for flight MH370.

5. To appoint competent and transparent search workers and officers.

On Thursday, a protest comprising of about 150 people took place in front of the Malaysian High Commission in London, organised by the Chinese Weekly accusing the Malaysian government of withholding information regarding the missing flight MH370.

The protesters chanted “Malaysian government has cheated us” and carried banners that read “Don’t Hide, Don’t Lie”, “Real Eyes Realise Real Lies”, “No Cover Up!”, “MaLIEsia” and “We Want the Truth”.

The rally ended peacefully under the watchful eye of local police personnel.