SEPTEMBER 13 — The Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) has been officially notified by the Australian Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) of the debris found by Mr. Blaine Gibson in Madagascar recently. The debris was handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on September 12, 2016.

In our agreement with ATSB, any debris found will be analysed and examined in Canberra, Australia. It is crucial to note here that any debris found must be carefully examined and verified. At this juncture, it is too premature to certify the debris is indeed from MH370.

The DCA wishes to also note that we are in constant touch with the relevant authorities of South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar as more debris are coming on to land.

Any possible debris found in these states will be made known to DCA by the respective authorities and will be kept in custody of the said authorities. Upon initial verification via photographic evidence, we will then either send a team to retrieve the debris or request the authorities to courier the debris to Malaysia.

Alternatively we will obtain the assistance of our nearest High Commissioner to retrieve the debris on behalf of the Government of Malaysia and subsequently courier the debris back to Malaysia.

The Malaysian team of experts will then determine the necessity to send it to ATSB for further examination and analysis.

The DCA is currently in the process of obtaining assistance from our High Commissioner in Pretoria, South Africa, to retrieve the debris from the relevant authorities of South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar and subsequently courier the debris to Malaysia.

We wish to urge all parties to allow the experts to conduct the verification processes.

The next of kin of the loved ones of MH370 remains a priority and undue speculations will only add to their grief and pain.

We will make a necessary announcement on the outcome once the verification process has been completed.

* The above is a press statement by Dato’ Sri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, Director General, Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia.