PUTRAJAYA, March 1 ― The mission to search for Malaysia Airlines MH370 has covered an area of 8,200 sq km even though nothing has been found, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

"The search mission is intensifying and proceeding well,” he said when asked to comment on the development in the search for MH370 by an American seabed exploration company, Ocean Infinity Limited.   

The MH370 aircraft with 239 people on board went missing from the radar in its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 2014 and the missing plane has been described as the most mysterious incident in world aviation history.

The search operation for MH370  by Ocean Infinity is based on ‘no cure no fee’ in which payment would only be made when an aircraft wreckage is found within 90 days.     

Speaking to reporters after attending the Transport Ministry monthly assembly here today, Liow said two Malaysian officers had been sent to join the search mission while another officer would be sent next week.

"We are confident the search will recover the missing plane,” he said.

Meanwhile, Liow who is also MCA president said the party would face various challenges in the coming general election with internal and external attacks on the party.

"Nonetheless, MCA is determined to continue defending the country’s harmony and the interests of the Chinese community,” he said. ― Bernama