AZHARUDDIN Abdul Rahman, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), is the first to take responsibility over missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Confirming news of Azharuddin’s resignation, Loke said it was the direct result of findings in the Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team report on MH370 released yesterday.

“As far as CAAM is concerned, the current chairman has resigned. We will set up an internal committee to look into recommendations or actions that can be taken against the air traffic controllers (who were on duty) at that point in time.

When asked if Azharuddin was the first to take the responsibility to step down following the report, Loke said: “Yes, the report was just tabled yesterday.

“We just made the decision (about the committee) yesterday… so hopefully, (we can get the recommendations) within a month.”

The report highlighted lapses in protocol by air traffic controllers in Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh, which caused precious loss of time in activating search-and-rescue operations.

These lapses occurred as the plane entered Vietnamese airspace, where it made a turn-back.

It also concluded that the actual reasons for the plane’s disappearance could not be known because of a lack of evidence and the wreckage.

“The report has stated that the ATC didn’t follow the SOP, so action must be taken against the air traffic controllers at that particular point,” Loke said.

He said some of the officers who were on duty during the MH370 incident were now working with CAAM.

“Some of them are still working for CAAM. Some have already retired,” he said. 

CAAM was formerly known as the Department of Civil Aviation. – July 31, 2018.