As the chances of locating Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370’s black box seem to get higher, there is increasing debate on which country should have custody of the data recorder if or when it is found.
The Malaysian government has formed a committee to look into the jurisdction pertaining to the investigation into the aircraft and its black box.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, however, is not so concerned whether the investigation was carried out in Kuala Lumpur or Perth, once the plane is found.
“Personally, I just want to find the truth. I want to know what happened to MH370. Doesn’t matter how or who or where,” he told The Straits Times in an interview with Singapore media yesterday.
Althought Flight MH370 is an aircraft registered in Malaysia and is owned by Malaysia Airlines, jurisdiction in a case such as this is tricky when the plane’s final location or crash site cannot yet be confirmed.
Under the International Convention of Civil Aviation (ICAO), Malaysia as the aircraft’s country of origin is responsible for launching an investigation into its disappearance and must secure the wreckage. But in this case, Malaysia has asked Australia to lead search efforts in the southern Indian Ocean, some 2,000km off the coast of Perth.
“Under the ICAO, we have responsibility of looking after the black box. But there are diplomatic challenges when it involves 14 different nations,” Hishammuddin said.
Story: The Star Online
