Search for MH370 may restart in Indian Ocean: M'sia transport minister

Malaysia transport minister Anthony Loke said that the government may accept marine robotics company Ocean Infinity's offer to restart the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

According to New Straits Times (NST), Ocean Infinity had proposed in June 2024 to locate MH370 in the Indian Ocean.

The new search would cover around 15,000 sq km within the ocean.

Government need not pay if wreckage not found

Loke said that Ocean Infinity had determined the latest search area after consulting experts and researchers who provided new information and data analysis.

The search operation will be carried out based on a "no find, no fee" principle, and the Malaysian government would only be required to pay Ocean Infinity if it finds the plane wreckage.

According to Malaysian English-language media outlet Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Loke confirmed the initial fee of US$70 million (S$92 million) offered in 2018 to the company, and said that any new agreement would have to be confirmed by Cabinet.

The plane, which is a Boeing 777-200ER, had disappeared on Mar. 8, 2014 after departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

It was originally headed to Beijing and carried 239 people onboard including pilots, cabin crew and passengers.

Military radar revealed that MH370 had made a 180-degree turn before flying over to the Straits of Malacca and later disappearing again north of Sumatera.

Search operations only found some pieces of debris on the east coast of Africa.

Proposal is a "credible suggestion" but needs Cabinet's approval: Anthony Loke

In response to queries in the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian parliament), Loke said that the new proposal by Ocean Infinity is a "credible suggestion".

Members of Parliament Chong Zhemin from Pakatan Harapan (Kampar) and Nazri Abu Hassan from Perikatan Nasional (Merbok) had requested for updates on the government's plans to continue searching for MH370.

Loke said that the government remains "committed to finding the aircraft if there was strong, new evidence", as quoted by FMT.

He had said in May 2024 that the operation would take three months.

Loke added that the proposal may be considered by the government as it is the flight's registered owner.

However, its execution will still be subject to Cabinet's approval and will be officially announced in due course.

Top photos via Victor Iannello/X & Anthony Loke Siew Fook/Facebook