MH370: Malaysian, French Govt Reps To Meet In Paris Monday On Flaperon

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Come Monday, a meeting will be held in Paris between Malaysian Government representatives and the French authorities to discuss the verification process of an aircraft flaperon which was found on France's Reunion Island recently. Transport Deputy Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi said the Malaysian delegation would be headed by Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman and representatives of the Malaysian Government investigation team and Malaysia Airlines (MAS). "Since the flaperon was found on Reunion Island, any verification process must go through all protocol and procedure stipulated by the French Government as it is now under their jurisdiction," he told a media conference after opening the Lembah Pantai Umno (United Malays National Organsiation) Division's Wanita (women), Youth and Puteri wings here Saturday. Currently, Azharuddin is already in Toulouse, France to obtain more information on the flaperon while the Malaysian investigation team is on the way to Reunion Island to conduct further investigation. Asked if the international focus on the search for MAS aircraft MH370 which vanished on March 8 last year would shift based on the latest development, Ab Aziz said the matter had yet to be discussed. On a letter of demand from AirAsia Bhd to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for payment of US$107.02 million (RM409 million) in damages, Ab Aziz said the government was surprised but would nevertheless, continue to look into the development of the case. "The government is surprised (over the letter of demand) because I see there is no problem at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) for aircraft take-off and landing, no flight was cancelled. I checked with other airlines, and all said ok," he added. Ab Aziz said DCA, prior to this, had also confirmed that klia2 was ready for operations, but the ministry would continue to scrutinise the matter. Thursday, AirAsia Bhd handed over a letter of demand for RM409 million to MAHB and Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd (collectively referred to as MAHB) for losses and damage sustained, following operations from klia2 and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal. In an announcenment to Bursa Malaysia (Malaysia's Stock Exchange), AirAsia said in its demand that it had stated MAHB had failed and/or had flouted several responsibilities, including safeguarding contractually, which had caused the airline to experience and continue to experience losses due to breach of contract by MAHB. In a separate statement, MAHB said the company and its solicitors were studying the matter and would make an announcement at a time deemed suitable. -- BERNAMA