KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — Malaysia remains committed to the hunt for Flight MH370 that disappeared exactly one year ago, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

In a statement, he said the country’s prayers are with the 239 people on board the national carrier as well as their families and friends left behind.

“No words can describe the pain the families of those on-board are going through. The lack of answers and definitive proof — such as aircraft wreckage — has made this more difficult to bear.“Together with our international partners, we have followed the little evidence that exists. Malaysia remains committed to the search, and hopeful that MH370 will be found,” he said.

Najib also offered thanks to the international team of searchers who have helped and are continuing efforts to find the Boeing jetliner, saying “we will never forget the dedication of those who have helped”.

Najib’s assurance comes after his Australian counterpart, Tony Abbott told his country’s Parliament last Thursday that the search for Flight MH370 cannot continue at its current intensity “forever”.

Malaysia and Australia have each put up A$60 million(RM171 million) to fund this phase of the search.

The search is currently focused underwater on a 60,000 square kilometre section of the southern Indian Ocean off West Australia, with four ships using sophisticated sonar devices to scour the ocean floor.

Australia, which is leading the search, has said it has covered 40 per cent of the priority search area, which is to continue till May.