The next-of-kin of Chinese MH370 passengers had opted to wait for Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai outside the ministry's office because they found the stench of the room they were offered overbearing, said one of the family members.

 

Group representative Li Hwa said upon arrival at the ministry's office on Monday, the 18-strong group voiced their grievances to two officials attending to them, and they were asked to wait in a newly renovated room.

 

He said the families found the smell of fresh paint to be unbearable, so they opted to wait outside instead.

 

"Outside, at least it is well-ventilated. There's no smell of paint thinner... The next-of-kin can't stay there (in the room)," Li told KiniTV in an interview yesterday, when asked if conditions outside were indeed better than waiting indoors.

 

The long wait had drawn media attention after one of the next-of-kin, Wen Wan Cheng, 65, collapsed outside the ministry's office during the wait in hot weather.

 

He later recovered and continued to wait for Liow with the rest of the group until 9pm, fearing that he would miss the chance of meeting the minister if he went to hospital.

 

Following the incident, the ministry issued a statement that it and the minister are concerned about the welfare of the next-of-kin and have instructed MAS to respond to their queries.

 

"A room was made available specifically for the next-of-kin; however, they opted not to use this facility and remained at the entrance of the ministry.

 

"Out of concern, officials from the Ministry of Transport also spent time to hear them out," it said of the March 2 incident.

However, the group did not get to meet Liow.