An international media outlet which claimed the search operation for the missing MH370 could resume next year was not true, said Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai.

He said his ministry had not finalised the negotiation with United States-based seabed exploration outfit Ocean Infinity, and would look into the details of expert views.

"It is because we need accurate data to confirm whether the search for MH370 needs to be continued or not.

"And if we are convinced with the credible evidence, then only we will continue the search mission," he told reporters at the handing-out of Flagbearer Education Association funds amounting to RM1.6 million to 40 children of the 23 cabin crew members of the MH370 and MH17 tragic incidents in Kuala Lumpur today.

The setting up of the fund is an initiative by four private companies – Eu Yan Sang, Genting Malaysia Berhad, Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Berhad and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad.

Flight MH370 disappeared while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. It had 239 passengers and crew members on board.

Australia, China and Malaysia which jointly coordinated and funded a search operation, had in January this year suspended the search for MH370 when traces of the Boeing 777 could not be found in the 120,000 sq km search area in the southern Indian Ocean.

Flight MH17, a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, was shot down in troubled eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2015 as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 298 passengers and crew on board.

- Bernama