CANBERRA: The painstaking search for Flight MH370 continues with 58 possible locations identified within the current search area.

“The experts identified the locations following the bathymetric survey conducted.

“To date, more than 87,000 sq km of the sea floor in the 1.1 million sq km area have been surveyed,” Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said when met at the official residence of Malaysia High Commissioner Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Officials from Malaysia, Australia and China had met here and expressed their commitment to finding the aircraft.

“We can never go alone in this search, especially when we are entering a very important phase – the search of the seabed.

“The meetings with China and Australia have enabled us to focus our resources in searching for the aircraft,” said Liow.

He added that the families of those on board MH370 were never far from his mind.

“We are with you, committed to the search. Whatever it takes, we will ensure the search continues,” he said.

Liow headed the Malaysian delegation in Australia comprising deputy ministers and top officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johati and Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

The delegation also held separate bilateral meetings with China and Australia.

“The bilateral meetings were successful as all countries reaffirmed past agreements so that we can move forward.

“The Malaysian delegation has accomplished what we set out to do, which is to ensure the search is running smoothly and all is being done to expedite the search,” he said.

Liow also saluted all experts, officials and personnel from various countries involved in the search.

“The sacrifices made by these men and women will never be forgotten,” he said.

Liow reiterated that Malaysia had agreed to share the cost for the Australian contracted vessel, which has been tendered at the cost of A$52mil (RM153mil) to be used in the deep underwater search for MH370 with Australia.

“This is on top of our own contracted vessel, Go Phoenix, which will be deployed to the search area next month,” he said.

He added that Malaysia had committed and spent A$50mil (RM147mil) since the search for the aircraft started on March 8.

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