A press conference by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) which was scheduled to be carried live at 3.30pm today has been cancelled.

The much awaited press conference headed by DCA director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman was expected provide latest updates on the MH370 tragedy.

The announcement of the cancellation was made at around 4.05pm at the DCA hall in Putrajaya in front of MH370 family members and media.

Meanwhile, former Royal Malaysian Air Force officer, Captain Abdul Rahman Omar Tun Mohd Haniff who appeared on Astro AWANI, was shocked by the announcment.

"The press conference was conducted by a government department. If they weren't ready, then don't announce it or don't invite the press.

"This affects the preception towards the management, considering that the news had become the centre of attention for Malaysians and the world," he said.

Abdul Rahman also feared that the cancellation might lead to the country being further ridiculed by international communities.