AUG 12 — We the families with loved ones on board MH370 have been enduring an agonising period in our lives. It’s been 17 long months since contact was lost with MH370. Our nightmare continues. Most people can’t even begin to imagine the pain and suffering we are being subjected to.
We want the world to know that we are not living in denial. We are prepared for all eventualities. However, we are not prepared to give up on our loved ones unless and until there is 100% certainty. WE OWE IT TO OUR LOVED ONES!
The recovery of a flaperon at Saint-Andre on the French island of La Reunion has once again brought immense global attention to Missing Flight MH370.
We want to thank the people on the French island of La Reunion for alerting the authorities to this find. We greatly appreciate the French Authorities for their serious and committed efforts to conduct their investigations on the flaperon, including, determining if it is without a doubt from MH370.
We also want to recognise the efforts of the Malaysian Authorities for sending “experts” to the French island of La Reunion and the Maldives to investigate the other debris findings as well as appealing to Indian Ocean island nations to conduct searches.
We are very thankful for the efforts of the many nations that have committed expertise and resources to help resolve this matter and bring relief to the agonising families.
We however, are apprehensive about the handling of the whole incident from day one by the Malaysian Authorities. This has led to families having doubts about their expertise, capabilities and intentions. Many of their announcements appear self-serving rather than serving the interests of the families, even though each announcement is touted to be made in the interest of the families.
One world renowned news agency put it bluntly as “There are indeed real question marks over the way the Malaysian authorities have handled both the search for the plane and the release of information - marred by delay, confusion and apparent self-interest”
A case in point is the latest announcement by the Prime Minister of Malaysia confirming the flaperon is from MH370 and yet again the inevitable finality of their conclusion. However, after one week, other experts have not concurred with the Malaysia declaration. Needless to say, most families have refused to accept the Malaysian verdict, and are awaiting a more definite and conclusive analysis.
In view of these concerns, we the families of those on board MH370 would like to appeal that all debris be analysed at a reputable place with the appropriate expertise and equipment, be it the French Authorities or other advanced nations already on the Malaysia led Annex 13 Investigation Team, like the ATSB, AAIB or NTSB.
We also want to draw the attention of the world, especially all travelling public that, whilst ICAO’s Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99)(formally, the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air) was adopted to bring uniformity, it has a two year limitation period to commence legal action.
In the case of Missing Flight MH370, the two years may lapse before any conclusions are made. This adds to our burdens. Will the guilty party, should there be one, get away scott-free due to this time bar?
The term “unprecedented” has been used regularly to describe this incident.
Given the novel nature of our circumstances, would commercial entities be magnanimous enough to extend the limitation period so that justice can be served?
The MH370 families would appreciate any advice or support on addressing this shortcoming in the MC99.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
