MH370 DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang today urged acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein not to have any role in the probe into the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 though he is overseeing the search and recovery (SAR) coordination process.

He said the minister's absence from the investigation was necessary as the process was facing a crisis of confidence.

"The principle that the supremo of the MH370 SAR should not be the supremo of the MH370 disaster investigation must be observed in the interests of ensuring the confidence and credibility of the MH 370 disaster inquiry...

"Especially as there is a crisis of trust and confidence in the SAR among the families and loved ones of the 239 passengers and crew on board, Malaysians in general and the international community," he said in a statement today.

Lim did not specify who would be better qualified to lead the overall probe into the disaster.

However, he said as for investigations into the confused response at the initial stages of the missing Flight MH370. This should be led by a parliamentary select committee (PSC) headed by the opposition.

"Answers to the mistakes and weaknesses in the system of governance in the initial hours and days of the MH370 disaster are being sought now, and cannot wait until the discovery of MH 370's black-box or wreckage which can be for an indeterminate period...

"This has become an important and integral part of the closure for the anguish and suffering of the families of the 239 passengers and crew, concerned Malaysians as well as concerned well-wishers worldwide," said Lim.

'PSC probe into initial response'

He then zoomed in on Hishammuddin's and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Rodzali Daud's denial of a CNN report that Malaysia had supposedly scrambled jets to pursue Flight MH370 after it went rogue.

"Despite the denial of Hishamuddin and Rodzali, the CNN news report should be the subject of an independent and intensive investigation...

"Which is another reason why Hishammuddin should not have any role in the investigation phase of the MH370 disaster as he would be an important witness of the investigation," he said.

"A report by the opposition-headed PSC endorsing Hishammuddin and Rodzali 's explanations would only further reinforce national and international confidence in the credibility and authority of the Malaysian system of governance," he added.

The government had consistently said it did not scramble any jets to pursue Flight MH370 after it diverted from its intended path in the early hours of March 8 because the air force did not view it as "hostile".

Lim also criticised the RMAF for saying it needed more sophisticated aircraft for SAR operations.

His advice to the Air Force was to come out with a coherent and credible statement as to its role in the initial hours and days of the missing MH370 before asking for more budgetting and increase in defence assets.

"Malaysian MPs are patriots and will support additional budgets or more sophisticated assets for the RMAF where there is a real national need, but RMAF must be able to present a case for more defence budgets and expenditures for more sophisticated assets," he said.