SEPANG, March 16 — Malaysia has not received any ransom demand over missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

Speaking during a daily press conference on the search and investigations into the Beijing-bound plane that went missing with 239 on board, Hishammuddin said no group has come forth to claim responsibility for the plane’s disappearance.

“No, there has not. And that makes it very difficult for us to verify whether it is hijacked or an act terrorism.

“We are looking into all possibilities and we are not taking anything for granted,” Hishammuddin said today.

Malaysia yesterday said the disappearance of MH370 was due to “deliberate action”, and that it was refocusing its investigation on the crew and passengers.

Today, the police said they are classifying the probe on the missing plane under Section 130C of the Penal Code that deals with hijacking, sabotage and other acts of terrorism. It also said that the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act will apply.

MH370 went missing on March 8 shortly after it departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport.