PARLIAMENT Malaysia spent RM27.6 million for oil and food logistics in the MH370 search and rescue operations, though the figure is not final, acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby, he said the amount was spent for the logistics with regard to the navy, police, fire fighters, maritime agencies and also the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

He added that other countries participating in the search had undertaken their own expenses.

In total, 26 countries have been involved since the plane went missing three months ago.

 

This is the first time the government has given any cost estimates on the search for the flight, which was initially concentrated in the South China Sea, then the Indian Ocean.

 

"This figure is not final because the plane is yet to be found," Hisham added.

 

He also revealed that Malaysia's expenditure is dwarfed by the expenditure borne by other countries assisting in the search, as the other nations have deployed top assets.

 

"There was P8 Poseidon, HSM Echo, a nuclear submarine and also the Bluefin 21 underwater robot, all these cost a lot. Compared to their expenditure (Malaysia's) is not as much," he explained.

No problem

Asked on the decision of the families of passengers on MH370 who wanted to collect funds to hire private investigators, Hishammuddin said: "I have no problem with that. I don't deny that the most difficult thing for me is facing the family members.    

        

"I am touched by their effort to collect funds for investigation purpose and so on.

"And I feel that is perhaps one way they could contribute and for our search efforts to be inclusive."  

             

Recently, it was reported that Sarah Bajc, the girlfriend of Philip Woods, one of the passengers on MH370, had launched a crowdsourcing campaign to hire informants and private investigators to reveal important details on the investigation into MH370.           

Hishammuddin added MAS had initiated discussions on the advance compensation for the MH370 passengers' next of kin, but all details on the compensation were kept between MAS, next of kin and the lawyers appointed by the next of kin.

Families’ bid to search for missing jet welcomed