KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said on Sunday it will set up a Family Assistance Centre (FAC) for families of passengers on board a missing flight, as Prime Minister Najib Razak vowed full commitment to the search operation.
"The FAC will become the focal point for all activities that have been planned for the families including briefings, religious and prayer services," MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said in a statement, adding that the FAC will be based in Perth, Australia.
He said the airlines will make arrangements to bring the family members to Perth once the wreckage found is authoritatively confirmed to be from the flight MH370, which is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.
On Sunday night, Mr Najib reaffirmed Malaysia's determination to search for the plane, which went missing on March 8 with 239 passengers and crew aboard.
"As we enter the third week in the search for MH370, be assured that the Malaysian government is fully committed to the search operation and we will not stop until the plane is found," Mr Najib said in a post on Facebook, saying he was grateful to Australia and other nations involved in the hunt in the waters west of Perth.
Here is the text of the press statement from Malaysia Airlines in full:
"Malaysia Airlines wishes to clarify that it will be making arrangements to fly family members to Perth, only once it has been authoritatively confirmed that the physical wreckage found is that of MH370.
"Arrangements will be made as soon as the relevant government agencies have provided clearances for Malaysia Airlines to bring family members to the site where aircraft wreckage will be kept.
"A Family Assistance Centre (FAC) will be established in Perth. The FAC will become the focal point for all activities that have been planned for the families including briefings, religious and prayer services.
"Malaysia Airlines is fully committed to supporting all efforts by the relevant foreign Governments who continue to search for and recover the aircraft, and it continues to cooperate with all authorities involved in the investigation.
"Malaysia Airlines continues to provide welfare and support to the families of the passengers."
