The next-of-kin of passengers on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing at 1.30am today, have been told to be prepared to fly out to the anticipated crash site that has yet to be determined.
 
"(We were told) to make sure we have valid passports and to be here by 6pm," a relative of one of the Malaysian passengers told reporters.
 
"For each passenger, two next-on-kin with a valid passport will be flown out to the crash site."
 
However, he did not elaborate on where they would be flown to. 

MAS CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, however, said that MAS offices worldwide have been instructed to inform relatives to come with their passports so MAS can assist them if they want to fly anywhere.

"There are many nationalities involved. (They were asked to bring passports) to arrange for travel, like if they want to go to Beijing.
 
"For those outside... who may want to come to Kuala Lumpur," he said

Dozens of passengers' relatives were escorted by police to the holding area at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, through a huge group of waiting reporters. 
 
Most declined to comment.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin were spotted entering the holding area where the families of MH370 passengers were waiting  at about 6pm . The duo refused to speak to the press.

Joint rescue effort

 
Flight MH370, a Boeing 777-200 aircraft en route to Beijing from KLIA, went missing in Vietnamese airspace early this morning.
 
The Vietnamese navy was reported claiming that the plane went down in their waters, but the Malaysian government is still trying to verify this.
 
The plane carried 239 passengers, including 12 crew members. There were 152 Chinese nationals and 38 Malaysians on board.
 
Thus far, Vietnamese, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Chinese authorities are undertaking a joint search and rescue mission.

According to Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, the Royal Malaysian Airforce, Royal Malaysian Navy, coast guard and the army are pitching in in the efforts. 
 
Aircraft transporters and helicopters have been deployed for the mission, said the minister who is also Acting Transport Minister. 
 
He added that the government will provide updates to the press throughout the day to avoid speculations.
 
The plane was last contacted via radar about 120 nautical miles off the coast of Kota Baru at 1.30am today and had enough fuel to last until 8.30am.
 
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said that the airline will send its staff to Beijing to assist with passengers' next-of-kin of there.

Reporting and video by KiniTV's Terry Wee.