OPEN LETTER TO YB DATO' SERI LIOW TIONG LAI - MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MALAYSIA
26th June 2016 “OPEN LETTER”
YB Dato' Seri Liow Tiong Lai
Minister of Transport, Malaysia
Level 10, No.26, Jalan Tun Hussein , Precint 4,
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62100 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Dear YB Dato Seri Liow
The Aircrash Support Group Australia (ASGA) is a legitimate Family Association for the Australian Victims and Families of Victims of Aviation Tragedies, as defined and recognized by ICAO, Policy Document Number 9998. As such, we formally request your co-operation and assistance in regard to the following matter.
Recently, we have been made aware of your comments made to the media in regard to personal effects discovered on the same small section of Madagascan coastline as 5 pieces of potential aircraft debris (including the quite obvious in-flight entertainment system frame), where you state categorically that there is absolutely no connection between these personal items found and missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. To be frank, your comments are extremely concerning, particularly considering Malaysia is yet to send a representative to collect the potential aircraft debris, let alone inspect or retrieve the personal items.
If the potential aircraft debris does in-fact turn out to be from the missing aircraft, then as a Member State of ICAO, Malaysia has obligations under the Family Assistance Code to thoroughly investigate the personal effects, and, potentially, return them to the Next of Kin. ASGA understands that your Office has cancelled the collection of these items not once, but twice; and now nearly a month has passed. We do not find this “foot dragging” behaviour acceptable on any level and we certainly do not find it in accord with the intent of the Family Assistance Code.
Therefore ASGA and MH370 Families now request that you provide full and total public transparency in regard to any and all “testing” you claim has been undertaken on these personal items to make your determination; that includes, but is not limited to:
- The Authority/Body/Organization/Company that undertook the testing.
- The date and location that the testing was undertaken.
- The exact type of testing undertaken.
- A copy of the original results of any and all testing undertaken on these items.
Furthermore, ASGA also requests that you advise of, and stick to, a firm date that the potential aircraft debris will be collected from the Madagascan Authorities and advise how and who will investigate it.
In regard to the personal effects, we formally request that, if you maintain your position that they are of no relation to MH370, then you make immediate arrangements for the items to be sent to ASGA’s Perth Office for our own investigations and future safe storage.
ASGA thanks you for your co-operation in these matters and trusts you will have no difficulty in complying with our requests.
We look forward to your prompt response and early receipt of the information as requested.
Yours sincerely
Sheryl Keen
Chairperson
Aircrash Support Group Australia
YB Dato' Seri Liow Tiong Lai
Minister of Transport, Malaysia
Level 10, No.26, Jalan Tun Hussein , Precint 4,
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62100 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Dear YB Dato Seri Liow
The Aircrash Support Group Australia (ASGA) is a legitimate Family Association for the Australian Victims and Families of Victims of Aviation Tragedies, as defined and recognized by ICAO, Policy Document Number 9998. As such, we formally request your co-operation and assistance in regard to the following matter.
Recently, we have been made aware of your comments made to the media in regard to personal effects discovered on the same small section of Madagascan coastline as 5 pieces of potential aircraft debris (including the quite obvious in-flight entertainment system frame), where you state categorically that there is absolutely no connection between these personal items found and missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. To be frank, your comments are extremely concerning, particularly considering Malaysia is yet to send a representative to collect the potential aircraft debris, let alone inspect or retrieve the personal items.
If the potential aircraft debris does in-fact turn out to be from the missing aircraft, then as a Member State of ICAO, Malaysia has obligations under the Family Assistance Code to thoroughly investigate the personal effects, and, potentially, return them to the Next of Kin. ASGA understands that your Office has cancelled the collection of these items not once, but twice; and now nearly a month has passed. We do not find this “foot dragging” behaviour acceptable on any level and we certainly do not find it in accord with the intent of the Family Assistance Code.
Therefore ASGA and MH370 Families now request that you provide full and total public transparency in regard to any and all “testing” you claim has been undertaken on these personal items to make your determination; that includes, but is not limited to:
- The Authority/Body/Organization/Company that undertook the testing.
- The date and location that the testing was undertaken.
- The exact type of testing undertaken.
- A copy of the original results of any and all testing undertaken on these items.
Furthermore, ASGA also requests that you advise of, and stick to, a firm date that the potential aircraft debris will be collected from the Madagascan Authorities and advise how and who will investigate it.
In regard to the personal effects, we formally request that, if you maintain your position that they are of no relation to MH370, then you make immediate arrangements for the items to be sent to ASGA’s Perth Office for our own investigations and future safe storage.
ASGA thanks you for your co-operation in these matters and trusts you will have no difficulty in complying with our requests.
We look forward to your prompt response and early receipt of the information as requested.
Yours sincerely
Sheryl Keen
Chairperson
Aircrash Support Group Australia