MH370: MAS to hold remembrance gathering on March 8

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plans to hold a day of remembrance gathering on March 8 for the passengers and air crew members of flight MH370 which went missing almost a year ago.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said a discussion will be held with the Chinese and Australian governments on the event to commemorate the looming anniversary.
"We need to discuss with them first as we have a tripartite agreement," he said at a press conference after attending the Penang MCA Chinese New Year open house in Jalan Transfer today .
The MH370 flight disappeared from the Department of Civil Aviation's radar after taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 12.41am on March 8.
It was scheduled to arrive at Beijing at 6.30am on the same day.
However, the flight with 227 passengers and 12 crew members has not been found by search and rescue efforts to date.
Meanwhile, Liow remains confident that the aircraft is embedded in the southern Indian Ocean although a documentary reportedly says it could be in Antartica.
He said the local air traffic controllers and British satellite communications firm Inmarsat's data showed that the plane was heading towards the southern Indian Ocean.
The three countries are committed in searching for the plane in the 60,000sq km search area.
"We have completed more than 35% of the aircraft search," he said adding that they hope the plane can be found in the area.
On the planned mass protest by MAS union members, Liow said MAS management must talk with the union over the restructuring plan.
"They have to work together to face this difficult time," he said, adding that they need to work together to ensure the dispute will be solved amicably.