1 00:00:03,410 --> 00:00:07,659 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. Hello, it's Theresa Tang. 2 00:00:07,670 --> 00:00:10,390 Speaker 1: The CN A correspondent team will be taking a break 3 00:00:10,398 --> 00:00:12,510 Speaker 1: for a few weeks in December, but we will be 4 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:16,469 Speaker 1: back in January 2025. We're also putting together a special 5 00:00:16,479 --> 00:00:20,149 Speaker 1: Asian tsunami anniversary episode which will be coming out soon. 6 00:00:20,159 --> 00:00:22,069 Speaker 1: You don't want to miss that. In the meantime, we're 7 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:24,989 Speaker 1: bringing back some of the more memorable episodes from this 8 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: year just in case you've missed them. Have a listen 9 00:00:27,489 --> 00:00:28,110 Speaker 1: and enjoy. 10 00:00:34,139 --> 00:00:37,790 Speaker 1: This week's episode is about one of the biggest aviation 11 00:00:37,799 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: mysteries of our time on March 8th 2014, Malaysia Airlines 12 00:00:42,409 --> 00:00:46,580 Speaker 1: flight mh 370 took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. 13 00:00:46,740 --> 00:00:50,708 Speaker 1: Then suddenly it just seemed to vanish off radar screens. 14 00:00:50,819 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: Days later, the confirmation no one wanted to hear 15 00:00:55,209 --> 00:00:57,590 Speaker 2: flight mh three 16 00:00:57,599 --> 00:00:58,630 Speaker 1: 70 17 00:01:00,119 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: ended 18 00:01:01,819 --> 00:01:02,619 Speaker 1: in a southern 19 00:01:04,059 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 1: Indian Ocean. 20 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:09,580 Speaker 1: What was supposed to be a routine 6.5 hour flight 21 00:01:09,589 --> 00:01:13,230 Speaker 1: turned into a 10 year long quest for closure. This 22 00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:16,660 Speaker 1: is what it sounds like outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing. 23 00:01:16,690 --> 00:01:18,459 Speaker 1: Nearly every anniversary, 24 00:01:25,379 --> 00:01:27,040 Speaker 1: lose your bloody, you walk 25 00:01:29,139 --> 00:01:32,120 Speaker 1: family and friends calling on Malaysia to tell them the 26 00:01:32,129 --> 00:01:35,099 Speaker 1: truth about what happened to all of those on board. 27 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,169 Speaker 1: How likely will families ever find the answers they're looking for? 28 00:01:39,540 --> 00:01:41,879 Speaker 1: I'm Theresa Tang. In this episode of the CN A 29 00:01:41,889 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: correspondent podcast, we tackle this story from Malaysia with Melissa 30 00:01:45,809 --> 00:01:48,500 Speaker 1: Goh and from Beijing with Olivia Seung. 31 00:01:50,709 --> 00:01:53,690 Speaker 1: A very warm welcome to the both of you. You know, 32 00:01:53,699 --> 00:01:57,019 Speaker 1: whenever something big happens in the news, it kind of 33 00:01:57,029 --> 00:01:59,879 Speaker 1: sticks in your memory like a moment frozen in time. Right? 34 00:02:00,010 --> 00:02:04,279 Speaker 1: For me, I clearly recall March 2014, I was in 35 00:02:04,290 --> 00:02:07,089 Speaker 1: front of a computer in London working on an assignment 36 00:02:07,150 --> 00:02:08,839 Speaker 1: for a grad class that I was in when I 37 00:02:08,850 --> 00:02:12,138 Speaker 1: saw this headline. And I totally remember thinking, what in 38 00:02:12,149 --> 00:02:15,668 Speaker 1: the world are you serious? What about you guys? I'm 39 00:02:15,679 --> 00:02:18,179 Speaker 1: curious to know where were both of you when news 40 00:02:18,190 --> 00:02:20,070 Speaker 1: broke 10 years ago? Mel 41 00:02:20,460 --> 00:02:23,038 Speaker 1: I was in KL. It was the weekend and I 42 00:02:23,050 --> 00:02:24,630 Speaker 1: remember that, you know, I happened to be in the 43 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,109 Speaker 1: office that early morning picking up some things that I 44 00:02:27,119 --> 00:02:29,259 Speaker 1: left behind and I got a call from office in 45 00:02:29,270 --> 00:02:32,350 Speaker 1: Singapore asking me to check on a news flash that 46 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,350 Speaker 1: came in at a Malaysia Airlines flight gone missing like 47 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,418 Speaker 1: six hours ago. So I pick up the phone. I 48 00:02:38,429 --> 00:02:40,779 Speaker 1: tried to call the airline. The line was so busy. 49 00:02:40,788 --> 00:02:43,350 Speaker 1: So I decided to hop on the train 50 00:02:43,457 --> 00:02:46,276 Speaker 1: and head straight to the airport to find out more. 51 00:02:46,287 --> 00:02:50,026 Speaker 1: But when I got there, it was really absolute chaos. Already, families, 52 00:02:50,037 --> 00:02:53,106 Speaker 1: media were told to go to the airport hotel, wait 53 00:02:53,117 --> 00:02:55,677 Speaker 1: there for news. Um, no one could tell us anything. 54 00:02:55,686 --> 00:02:58,867 Speaker 1: The auditorium was just being set up for news conferences 55 00:02:59,106 --> 00:03:02,927 Speaker 1: and I caught the first PC by the Department of 56 00:03:02,936 --> 00:03:06,476 Speaker 1: Civil Aviation and by the airline and they confirmed 57 00:03:06,583 --> 00:03:09,804 Speaker 1: they have lost all contact with Amic 370. It was 58 00:03:09,813 --> 00:03:12,494 Speaker 1: really bizarre because by then the plane had gone missing 59 00:03:12,502 --> 00:03:15,633 Speaker 1: for 10 hours. And then the ministers started to arrive, 60 00:03:15,643 --> 00:03:18,583 Speaker 1: the army, the navy chiefs, the police chiefs, the whole 61 00:03:18,593 --> 00:03:21,964 Speaker 1: place was so busy and crowded. After that, the auditorium 62 00:03:21,973 --> 00:03:24,843 Speaker 1: was like our home for the next two weeks. Sometimes 63 00:03:24,854 --> 00:03:27,163 Speaker 1: there were just three or four news conferences but with 64 00:03:27,173 --> 00:03:29,483 Speaker 1: very little information for us to work on the 65 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:33,210 Speaker 1: just bits and pieces and you could see them scrambling 66 00:03:33,220 --> 00:03:37,251 Speaker 1: to piece together. It's just like a jigsaw puzzle. Olivia. 67 00:03:37,261 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: What about 68 00:03:37,610 --> 00:03:37,970 Speaker 1: you? 69 00:03:38,210 --> 00:03:40,970 Speaker 2: Well, I will remember it was a weekend like Mel 70 00:03:40,981 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 2: said and I was at home in Singapore with my 71 00:03:43,330 --> 00:03:46,291 Speaker 2: family and we had the TV on when the news 72 00:03:46,300 --> 00:03:49,270 Speaker 2: came in. And I just remember thinking that this is 73 00:03:49,281 --> 00:03:52,731 Speaker 2: so surreal that a plane could disappear. 74 00:03:53,020 --> 00:03:55,460 Speaker 2: And then I remember we had the TV on throughout 75 00:03:55,470 --> 00:04:00,220 Speaker 2: the day because it was just quite unimaginable. I watch 76 00:04:00,229 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 2: Mel on air and other colleagues in the weeks that 77 00:04:03,449 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 2: followed him for myself last year when 78 00:04:06,649 --> 00:04:11,550 Speaker 2: the court hearings for the Chinese families began in November, 79 00:04:11,559 --> 00:04:15,119 Speaker 2: it really struck me. You know, the news cycle goes 80 00:04:15,130 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 2: on and after the initial frenzy of it, other headlines 81 00:04:20,010 --> 00:04:22,649 Speaker 2: come in and there are other news items. But then 82 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:27,149 Speaker 2: these families that we were interviewing, this is the reality 83 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,328 Speaker 2: for the last decade and many of them that we 84 00:04:30,339 --> 00:04:33,529 Speaker 2: had been speaking to had tears in their eyes when 85 00:04:33,540 --> 00:04:35,549 Speaker 2: they told me, you know, I just want my family 86 00:04:35,625 --> 00:04:39,844 Speaker 2: t to come back. I believe that they are still alive. 87 00:04:39,855 --> 00:04:44,045 Speaker 2: And that was something that for me and my cameraman, we, 88 00:04:44,053 --> 00:04:46,575 Speaker 2: we had to pause and we just take in as 89 00:04:46,584 --> 00:04:50,945 Speaker 1: well. Mel the Malaysian government, they've been under enormous pressure 90 00:04:50,954 --> 00:04:53,364 Speaker 1: since day one to get to the bottom of this 91 00:04:53,605 --> 00:04:57,584 Speaker 1: and they largely have taken responsibility for this investigation. Can 92 00:04:57,595 --> 00:04:59,915 Speaker 1: you take us back to that day? And the years 93 00:04:59,924 --> 00:05:03,034 Speaker 1: since in terms of the sort of resources officials have 94 00:05:03,045 --> 00:05:04,484 Speaker 1: been pouring into this search? 95 00:05:05,070 --> 00:05:07,909 Speaker 1: Well, it is described as one of the biggest and 96 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:12,730 Speaker 1: probably the most expensive search operation in history involves so 97 00:05:12,738 --> 00:05:16,670 Speaker 1: many parties. At one point, Malaysia was coordinating hundreds of 98 00:05:16,678 --> 00:05:20,769 Speaker 1: assets from air to sea from 26 countries. All wanted 99 00:05:20,779 --> 00:05:24,350 Speaker 1: to help, even though their nationals weren't on board, everyone 100 00:05:24,359 --> 00:05:26,329 Speaker 1: just want to hop on and help th they were 101 00:05:26,339 --> 00:05:29,739 Speaker 1: combing the South China Sea because that was the last place. 102 00:05:29,750 --> 00:05:32,578 Speaker 1: I mean the MH 370 disappeared from the radar screens 103 00:05:32,589 --> 00:05:33,729 Speaker 1: shortly after 104 00:05:33,825 --> 00:05:37,404 Speaker 1: Malaysia air traffic control handed over to Vietnam and then 105 00:05:37,415 --> 00:05:40,644 Speaker 1: the search expanded and to Straits of Malacca and all 106 00:05:40,654 --> 00:05:43,635 Speaker 1: the way to the Andaman Sea because the military radar 107 00:05:43,644 --> 00:05:47,924 Speaker 1: apparently picked up signals from an unidentified aircraft. But the 108 00:05:47,934 --> 00:05:50,284 Speaker 1: army chief said they weren't sure what it was because 109 00:05:50,295 --> 00:05:53,105 Speaker 1: there was no distress signal. If indeed go missing, that 110 00:05:53,113 --> 00:05:55,475 Speaker 1: was what they say. Five days after that it went 111 00:05:55,484 --> 00:05:58,844 Speaker 1: missing and that went on for days before. Finally, we 112 00:05:58,855 --> 00:06:02,484 Speaker 1: were told that the plane ended in the Southern Indian Ocean. 113 00:06:02,779 --> 00:06:06,070 Speaker 1: Indeed, it something never happened before in history, not, never 114 00:06:06,079 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 1: happened before in Malaysia. And according to the former defense minister, 115 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,299 Speaker 1: Hishammuddin Hussein, whom I spoke with back then, he was 116 00:06:13,309 --> 00:06:16,730 Speaker 1: the acting transport minister. Um He said that Malaysia has 117 00:06:16,738 --> 00:06:19,890 Speaker 1: tried its level best and should not be faulted in 118 00:06:19,899 --> 00:06:23,109 Speaker 1: any way for its response which some described, especially the 119 00:06:23,119 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 1: family members. It was just too slow and too incompetent. 120 00:06:26,290 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 1: Let's take a listen 121 00:06:27,738 --> 00:06:29,700 Speaker 1: on the first day. It is a roller coaster ride. 122 00:06:29,709 --> 00:06:32,910 Speaker 1: You know, if you're talking about 14 different nationals on 123 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,450 Speaker 1: the plane, if you're talking about 26 nations involved in 124 00:06:36,459 --> 00:06:39,868 Speaker 1: the S A operations, 125 00:06:40,529 --> 00:06:44,868 Speaker 1: it is a major task for a small country like 126 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:51,329 Speaker 1: Malaysia to coordinate Olivia, there were 239 passengers and crew 127 00:06:51,339 --> 00:06:57,570 Speaker 1: on board. Mh 370 and of them 153 were Chinese nationals. 128 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,019 Speaker 1: Can you explain that? Why were there so many of 129 00:07:00,029 --> 00:07:02,350 Speaker 1: them on board on that particular flight. 130 00:07:02,589 --> 00:07:05,630 Speaker 1: And what was the reaction like in China when news 131 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,729 Speaker 1: broke of the plane's disappearance? 132 00:07:08,140 --> 00:07:10,809 Speaker 2: Well, from what we know some of the passengers were 133 00:07:10,820 --> 00:07:15,540 Speaker 2: on board after returning from holidays with friends, others from 134 00:07:15,549 --> 00:07:19,570 Speaker 2: a business trip or to settle on visa matters. The 135 00:07:19,579 --> 00:07:22,940 Speaker 2: flight route is from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and takes 136 00:07:22,950 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 2: about five 137 00:07:23,584 --> 00:07:27,375 Speaker 2: to six hours. It's this red eye flight leaving just 138 00:07:27,385 --> 00:07:30,165 Speaker 2: after midnight and it saves time. I know Mel and 139 00:07:30,174 --> 00:07:33,575 Speaker 2: I were chatting and Mel has been on this same 140 00:07:33,625 --> 00:07:34,494 Speaker 2: flight before, 141 00:07:34,505 --> 00:07:37,644 Speaker 1: right? It's a red eye flight you slept through basically 142 00:07:37,765 --> 00:07:39,744 Speaker 1: when you get there at 6 a.m. in the morning 143 00:07:39,755 --> 00:07:42,255 Speaker 1: for day break. Therefore, I think a lot of passengers 144 00:07:42,265 --> 00:07:44,445 Speaker 1: were probably sleeping at that time 145 00:07:44,790 --> 00:07:45,869 Speaker 1: midnight. Yeah. 146 00:07:46,049 --> 00:07:48,790 Speaker 2: And you know, speaking to some of the family members 147 00:07:48,799 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 2: of those who are on board when they said that 148 00:07:51,609 --> 00:07:55,489 Speaker 2: they received the call that something had happened to the plane. 149 00:07:55,500 --> 00:07:58,609 Speaker 2: They described it as that they were just shell shocked 150 00:07:58,619 --> 00:08:01,950 Speaker 2: when they heard the news and many then proceeded to 151 00:08:01,959 --> 00:08:06,420 Speaker 2: this holding area or support center for family members at 152 00:08:06,429 --> 00:08:10,519 Speaker 2: the little hotel in Beijing. And that's where officials from 153 00:08:10,529 --> 00:08:14,510 Speaker 2: Malaysia Airlines and for the Malaysian embassy work and would 154 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:14,690 Speaker 2: even 155 00:08:14,790 --> 00:08:18,790 Speaker 2: actually speak to families and one family member I spoke to, 156 00:08:18,799 --> 00:08:21,859 Speaker 2: he described it to me as being held on earth, 157 00:08:21,869 --> 00:08:26,470 Speaker 2: you know, hearing the tears, the outpouring and just that 158 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:30,489 Speaker 2: anguish and anxiety from the family members he said it's 159 00:08:30,500 --> 00:08:33,729 Speaker 2: something that he would never forget. And many of the 160 00:08:33,739 --> 00:08:38,049 Speaker 2: family members would end up camping out, staying there overnight 161 00:08:38,059 --> 00:08:41,330 Speaker 2: for a good two months and not wanting to leave 162 00:08:41,340 --> 00:08:44,070 Speaker 2: that room, that holding room and holding area out of 163 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:44,650 Speaker 2: fear 164 00:08:44,940 --> 00:08:48,478 Speaker 2: that they would miss any new information. Of course, all 165 00:08:48,489 --> 00:08:52,140 Speaker 2: the media had been at that hotel as well trying 166 00:08:52,150 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 2: to find out new information. 167 00:08:54,159 --> 00:08:57,530 Speaker 2: Well, I also interviewed 67 year old Mr Lee whose 168 00:08:57,539 --> 00:09:00,510 Speaker 2: son was on the flight, he was an engineer, had 169 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:03,819 Speaker 2: a bright future and had been sent to Malaysia to 170 00:09:03,830 --> 00:09:07,409 Speaker 2: work on a project. But he had to travel back 171 00:09:07,419 --> 00:09:11,690 Speaker 2: to Beijing to settle his work visa matters. And that's 172 00:09:11,700 --> 00:09:15,299 Speaker 2: when he boarded MH 370. And since that, this is 173 00:09:15,309 --> 00:09:19,820 Speaker 2: how Mr Lee has coped with the loss of his son. 174 00:09:19,830 --> 00:09:20,619 Speaker 2: Have listened. 175 00:09:23,869 --> 00:09:26,780 Speaker 2: I am just an old farmer before the incident. I 176 00:09:26,789 --> 00:09:30,909 Speaker 2: haven't even heard of the name like Weibo, including this computer. 177 00:09:31,229 --> 00:09:33,770 Speaker 2: I have developed some habits of keeping a diary. In 178 00:09:33,780 --> 00:09:37,669 Speaker 2: the past 10 years. I have written more than 2000 poems. 179 00:09:37,869 --> 00:09:41,340 Speaker 2: They have also been recognized by these journalists. They say 180 00:09:41,349 --> 00:09:44,380 Speaker 2: that this is the true expression of the soul. Why 181 00:09:44,390 --> 00:09:47,488 Speaker 2: have I persisted with Weibo or tiktok all these years? 182 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:50,340 Speaker 2: The biggest motivation of Tik Tok is to get more 183 00:09:50,349 --> 00:09:53,739 Speaker 2: people to pay attention to this matter and ultimately urge 184 00:09:53,750 --> 00:09:57,580 Speaker 2: the Malaysian government to restart the search for Mh 370. 185 00:09:57,679 --> 00:09:59,819 Speaker 2: And find the whereabouts of my child. 186 00:10:00,179 --> 00:10:04,320 Speaker 1: Olivia. Mr Li's son, worked for China tech firm ZTE. 187 00:10:04,330 --> 00:10:08,179 Speaker 1: And besides, you know, writing poems, he and his wife 188 00:10:08,190 --> 00:10:12,229 Speaker 1: went to the company's headquarters in person for three months 189 00:10:12,239 --> 00:10:14,799 Speaker 1: trying to get them to take some sort of action. 190 00:10:14,989 --> 00:10:16,729 Speaker 1: Can you tell us about those efforts? 191 00:10:17,250 --> 00:10:20,329 Speaker 2: Yeah. So we met Mr Lee and his wife in 192 00:10:20,340 --> 00:10:23,919 Speaker 2: Shenzhen and spent time with them as they went about 193 00:10:23,950 --> 00:10:29,228 Speaker 2: their Shenzhen is this big metropolis city in the south 194 00:10:29,239 --> 00:10:31,929 Speaker 2: of China. And Mr Lee and his wife, they are 195 00:10:31,940 --> 00:10:36,119 Speaker 2: rural farmers from the north of China in Hebei province. 196 00:10:36,130 --> 00:10:38,909 Speaker 2: So it is a long way from home and 197 00:10:39,424 --> 00:10:43,223 Speaker 2: morning, they would take the train from the hotel to 198 00:10:43,234 --> 00:10:47,044 Speaker 2: the ZT headquarters to meet with staff that as he 199 00:10:47,054 --> 00:10:50,715 Speaker 2: believes that they should be compensated for the loss of 200 00:10:50,734 --> 00:10:54,103 Speaker 2: a son who was sent to Malaysia on a work 201 00:10:54,114 --> 00:10:57,054 Speaker 2: trip and had to board mh 370 202 00:10:57,539 --> 00:11:00,119 Speaker 2: on some of the deals. He says they would visit 203 00:11:00,130 --> 00:11:04,479 Speaker 2: other government departments, look for legal advice and you can 204 00:11:04,489 --> 00:11:07,659 Speaker 2: really see it's been a roller coaster of emotions for 205 00:11:07,669 --> 00:11:10,020 Speaker 2: them at some point. He also did say that they 206 00:11:10,030 --> 00:11:13,150 Speaker 2: did not know what they could do next. And Mr 207 00:11:13,299 --> 00:11:16,390 Speaker 2: Lee has spent all his money and even got loans 208 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,819 Speaker 2: from his friends to continue their efforts in the past. 209 00:11:19,830 --> 00:11:22,460 Speaker 2: Even to go to, for example, Madagascar 210 00:11:22,669 --> 00:11:26,179 Speaker 2: when they had been used that perhaps playing debris had 211 00:11:26,190 --> 00:11:30,179 Speaker 2: been found. And so I asked Mr B, why are 212 00:11:30,190 --> 00:11:32,780 Speaker 2: you doing this now and why he is so persistent? 213 00:11:32,789 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 2: And his answer really struck me. He said during the 214 00:11:35,409 --> 00:11:38,020 Speaker 2: three years of the pandemic, he did a lot of 215 00:11:38,030 --> 00:11:41,580 Speaker 2: thinking about what life was meant to be about. And 216 00:11:41,700 --> 00:11:44,859 Speaker 2: he said that it was really tough and they weren't 217 00:11:44,869 --> 00:11:47,500 Speaker 2: able to travel from her to other parts of 218 00:11:47,580 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 2: China. And then because of the strict travel restrictions, and 219 00:11:50,770 --> 00:11:53,309 Speaker 2: he said that he believed that he wanted to turn 220 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 2: the page on this episode and he believed that his 221 00:11:55,969 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 2: son would want him to lead a good life and 222 00:11:58,690 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 2: to enjoy life now. But then he said he didn't 223 00:12:02,010 --> 00:12:04,690 Speaker 2: realize that it was going to be so difficult to 224 00:12:04,700 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 2: turn the chapter because even things like closing bank accounts 225 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: or seeking compensation, he's met many road 226 00:12:12,799 --> 00:12:16,539 Speaker 2: and even having to get a death certificate which he 227 00:12:16,549 --> 00:12:19,619 Speaker 2: still believes there is hope in perhaps finding his son. 228 00:12:19,630 --> 00:12:22,799 Speaker 2: That's something extremely difficult for them to do. He also 229 00:12:22,809 --> 00:12:26,039 Speaker 2: hasn't been able to come to an agreement with CTE. 230 00:12:26,049 --> 00:12:28,219 Speaker 2: We should point out that we have reached out to 231 00:12:28,229 --> 00:12:31,419 Speaker 2: ZTE for their response to this, but they have not 232 00:12:31,429 --> 00:12:35,359 Speaker 2: responded to our queries and speaking to other Chinese family 233 00:12:35,369 --> 00:12:37,478 Speaker 2: members as well. No, there is 234 00:12:37,950 --> 00:12:40,250 Speaker 2: that a man called Jiang Hui, who has become the 235 00:12:40,260 --> 00:12:44,809 Speaker 2: defector spokesperson for Chinese families and he organizes them to, 236 00:12:45,150 --> 00:12:48,890 Speaker 2: you know, go to Ka for the memorial votes and 237 00:12:49,010 --> 00:12:52,728 Speaker 2: he's become the spokesperson and face in front of the media. 238 00:12:52,929 --> 00:12:55,900 Speaker 2: He also talked about the difficulties he has not been 239 00:12:55,909 --> 00:12:59,770 Speaker 2: working since the incident happened. So he he lost his 240 00:12:59,780 --> 00:13:03,429 Speaker 2: job because he became too prominent as a result of 241 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:04,409 Speaker 2: standing up and speaking 242 00:13:04,489 --> 00:13:07,429 Speaker 2: to the media. He says it, it feels like he's 243 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:11,039 Speaker 2: in a bit of nimble, especially during festivals like team 244 00:13:11,359 --> 00:13:14,130 Speaker 2: which is a two sweeping fest and that's a time 245 00:13:14,140 --> 00:13:18,260 Speaker 2: where many go and pay respects to the dead loved ones. 246 00:13:18,270 --> 00:13:20,619 Speaker 2: But he feels he is unable to do that. This 247 00:13:20,630 --> 00:13:23,909 Speaker 2: is not right because there is no tomb, so to 248 00:13:23,919 --> 00:13:26,250 Speaker 2: speak of his mother who was on the flight that 249 00:13:26,260 --> 00:13:28,559 Speaker 2: he can go to to pay his respects. And he 250 00:13:28,570 --> 00:13:30,900 Speaker 2: feels it's not right as well because 251 00:13:31,210 --> 00:13:34,919 Speaker 2: there is no confirmation. He feels that she has passed 252 00:13:35,049 --> 00:13:37,479 Speaker 2: at the same time. He feels it's not right to 253 00:13:37,489 --> 00:13:41,049 Speaker 2: not remember her. And so he is persisting in his 254 00:13:41,059 --> 00:13:41,510 Speaker 2: search. 255 00:13:41,919 --> 00:13:45,210 Speaker 1: It feels like there is one consolation though knowing that 256 00:13:45,219 --> 00:13:48,270 Speaker 1: there are other families who are going through the same thing. 257 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 1: And mel you know, these individual families in China, they've 258 00:13:51,690 --> 00:13:54,559 Speaker 1: grown to form sort of one large family in a 259 00:13:54,570 --> 00:13:58,108 Speaker 1: way bonded by this grief and a common goal. How 260 00:13:58,119 --> 00:14:00,989 Speaker 1: have those in Malaysia approached authorities? 261 00:14:01,330 --> 00:14:04,190 Speaker 1: You know, it's the same thing each time the anniversary approaches, 262 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,630 Speaker 1: it's another emotional roller coaster ride for them. Now, there 263 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:11,789 Speaker 1: were 38 Malaysian passengers and 12 crew members. There is 264 00:14:11,799 --> 00:14:13,819 Speaker 1: a family group that I know of and they are 265 00:14:13,830 --> 00:14:17,309 Speaker 1: still active. They stay together, stay in touch even during 266 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:21,590 Speaker 1: the pandemic. During the, the subsequent lockdowns, they kept in touch. 267 00:14:21,770 --> 00:14:26,190 Speaker 1: Now helping each other. Finding closure was never easy, but 268 00:14:26,669 --> 00:14:29,539 Speaker 1: they couldn't bury their loved ones. Like Olivia said, they 269 00:14:29,549 --> 00:14:29,789 Speaker 1: couldn't 270 00:14:29,976 --> 00:14:33,435 Speaker 1: say goodbye. There's no proper goodbye. Although some have moved 271 00:14:33,445 --> 00:14:36,695 Speaker 1: on to focus on their families, their job, their career, 272 00:14:36,916 --> 00:14:39,835 Speaker 1: but they haven't given up. The victims will not be forgotten. 273 00:14:39,986 --> 00:14:42,625 Speaker 1: Mh 370 they are still hoping they will be found. 274 00:14:42,635 --> 00:14:45,385 Speaker 1: One day I caught up with Jitta, her husband was 275 00:14:45,395 --> 00:14:49,096 Speaker 1: the in flight supervisor Patrick Gomez. He's been with Malaysia 276 00:14:49,106 --> 00:14:52,435 Speaker 1: Airlines for more than three decades. She really hopes that the, 277 00:14:52,531 --> 00:14:55,752 Speaker 1: the government will give it another go resume the search 278 00:14:55,762 --> 00:15:00,591 Speaker 1: for Mh 370. She knows it's costly. It's probably, you know, 279 00:15:00,601 --> 00:15:03,291 Speaker 1: we take a lot of resources at a time like 280 00:15:03,302 --> 00:15:06,361 Speaker 1: Malaysia government is so stretched now. You know, we bring 281 00:15:06,372 --> 00:15:09,081 Speaker 1: it all time low and all. But she just hopes 282 00:15:09,091 --> 00:15:11,861 Speaker 1: that just give it a go. Who knows? This year 283 00:15:11,872 --> 00:15:15,731 Speaker 1: may be the year that Mh 370 is uncovered if 284 00:15:15,742 --> 00:15:17,632 Speaker 1: it's indeed in the bottom of the sea, she wants 285 00:15:17,642 --> 00:15:18,271 Speaker 1: to see it. 286 00:15:18,969 --> 00:15:22,890 Speaker 1: Olivia legal action is also one option but some families 287 00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:25,549 Speaker 1: told you that that's just not something they want to 288 00:15:25,559 --> 00:15:29,030 Speaker 1: take on. Why not? Why don't they consider that? Well, 289 00:15:29,039 --> 00:15:31,770 Speaker 2: perhaps if you were to talk first about the perspective 290 00:15:31,780 --> 00:15:35,559 Speaker 2: of the families taking a legal action. There are about 291 00:15:35,570 --> 00:15:40,190 Speaker 2: 40 of them, they are suing Malaysia Airlines aircraft manufacturer 292 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:44,330 Speaker 2: Boeing engine maker rolls Royce and ensure alliance. They have 293 00:15:44,340 --> 00:15:46,690 Speaker 2: a few demands. One is called compensation 294 00:15:46,992 --> 00:15:49,492 Speaker 2: and the other is one of the main things that 295 00:15:49,502 --> 00:15:52,453 Speaker 2: they say they want to see is that they restart 296 00:15:52,463 --> 00:15:56,572 Speaker 2: the search for. Mh 370. A lawyer I spoke to 297 00:15:56,583 --> 00:16:01,513 Speaker 2: in Beijing said there are grounds for this for the demands. 298 00:16:01,572 --> 00:16:05,103 Speaker 2: But the issue is that the court can only determine 299 00:16:05,112 --> 00:16:08,931 Speaker 2: that these parties are obligated to do something but how 300 00:16:08,942 --> 00:16:12,732 Speaker 2: to enforce that and how they can go about doing 301 00:16:12,742 --> 00:16:14,473 Speaker 2: it is not something the 302 00:16:14,676 --> 00:16:18,935 Speaker 2: what can do. Another thing also is that it took 303 00:16:18,945 --> 00:16:23,255 Speaker 2: seven years of preparation before these hearings began at the 304 00:16:23,265 --> 00:16:25,776 Speaker 2: end of last year and up to now, we still 305 00:16:25,786 --> 00:16:30,135 Speaker 2: do not know when the outcome will be announced because 306 00:16:30,276 --> 00:16:34,935 Speaker 2: of the unique nature of this case. That particular lawyer 307 00:16:34,945 --> 00:16:37,765 Speaker 2: also told me that through the years, he's had some 308 00:16:37,776 --> 00:16:41,755 Speaker 2: family members of the passengers on board. Mh 370 come 309 00:16:41,765 --> 00:16:42,445 Speaker 2: to him to 310 00:16:42,750 --> 00:16:46,890 Speaker 2: get his advice on whether he thinks they should join 311 00:16:46,900 --> 00:16:50,510 Speaker 2: this laws. Some of them were in two lines about it, 312 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,609 Speaker 2: but some also felt like they did not want to 313 00:16:52,619 --> 00:16:56,169 Speaker 2: go through the heart peak of having to rive this 314 00:16:56,179 --> 00:16:59,969 Speaker 2: incident and they want to move on. And his advice 315 00:16:59,979 --> 00:17:02,559 Speaker 2: to them was that if it is too painful for you, 316 00:17:02,570 --> 00:17:02,890 Speaker 2: then 317 00:17:03,559 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 2: you know, maybe consider taking the compensation and letting it go. 318 00:17:07,930 --> 00:17:13,140 Speaker 2: So not an easy decision for the family members. Either way, 319 00:17:13,569 --> 00:17:17,379 Speaker 1: mel theories abound regarding what could have happened that the 320 00:17:17,390 --> 00:17:20,290 Speaker 1: pilot deliberately took the plane off course that there was 321 00:17:20,300 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: a hijacking a fire. It may have been shot down. 322 00:17:23,130 --> 00:17:25,218 Speaker 1: You know, that list just goes on and on, 323 00:17:25,500 --> 00:17:29,389 Speaker 1: but the official investigation is closed and you pose the 324 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:33,660 Speaker 1: question of what's next to Malaysia's current Transport Minister. Tell 325 00:17:33,670 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 1: us about that exchange. Well, Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony, look, 326 00:17:37,989 --> 00:17:40,659 Speaker 1: he is cognizant of the fact that it's been 10 327 00:17:40,670 --> 00:17:44,060 Speaker 1: years and we are nowhere closer to finding out answers 328 00:17:44,069 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: for the families or solving the mystery surrounding. Mh 370. 329 00:17:48,599 --> 00:17:51,510 Speaker 1: He understands that many will continue to point fingers at 330 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:55,468 Speaker 1: the Malaysian authorities, the national carrier Malaysia Airlines, but he 331 00:17:55,479 --> 00:18:00,030 Speaker 1: wanted to stress that what happened was unprecedented. Malaysia has 332 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:03,699 Speaker 1: never dealt with anything like that before and the authorities, 333 00:18:03,709 --> 00:18:06,939 Speaker 1: you know, they have learned important or painful lessons. He 334 00:18:06,949 --> 00:18:10,270 Speaker 1: said on how to manage crisis, how to handle the 335 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:10,500 Speaker 1: situation 336 00:18:10,915 --> 00:18:15,385 Speaker 1: better, how to coordinate and communicate better. Now, while he 337 00:18:15,395 --> 00:18:18,063 Speaker 1: will always make time, he said to lend moral support 338 00:18:18,074 --> 00:18:22,025 Speaker 1: to families of mh 370 he won't entertain any sort 339 00:18:22,035 --> 00:18:25,954 Speaker 1: of conspiracy theories or give false hope to families have 340 00:18:25,964 --> 00:18:28,823 Speaker 1: been through enough. He said on whether Malaysia will hear 341 00:18:28,834 --> 00:18:31,834 Speaker 1: the families pleas and resume the search this is what 342 00:18:31,844 --> 00:18:35,114 Speaker 1: he said. The government's 10 has always been very consistent. 343 00:18:35,390 --> 00:18:38,369 Speaker 1: If they are credible information to be submitted to the government, 344 00:18:38,380 --> 00:18:41,739 Speaker 1: then we are prepared to resume the search. But as 345 00:18:41,750 --> 00:18:44,238 Speaker 1: far as we are concerned, there was yet to be 346 00:18:44,250 --> 00:18:48,349 Speaker 1: any credible information that we have received so far. What 347 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:51,379 Speaker 1: do you consider as credible evidence? Well, this is 348 00:18:51,449 --> 00:18:54,389 Speaker 1: something that at least you have to be very particular, 349 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: very clear about the search area. It cannot be just 350 00:18:58,890 --> 00:19:03,199 Speaker 1: a general big area that you think is possible. I 351 00:19:03,209 --> 00:19:07,469 Speaker 1: think that is something for our respective technical team to determine. 352 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:11,329 Speaker 1: But the moment we have any credible information and there's 353 00:19:11,339 --> 00:19:15,369 Speaker 1: a proposal from this search company Ocean infinity, then we 354 00:19:15,380 --> 00:19:17,020 Speaker 1: are prepared to resume the search 355 00:19:17,510 --> 00:19:20,569 Speaker 1: and mel you've been speaking with local aviation authorities as 356 00:19:20,579 --> 00:19:23,649 Speaker 1: well and they say progress has actually been made in 357 00:19:23,660 --> 00:19:28,629 Speaker 1: terms of tracking airplanes, could something as bizarre and tragic 358 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:31,609 Speaker 1: as what happened to mh 370 happen again. 359 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,229 Speaker 1: Well, as far as the Department of Civil Aviation, which 360 00:19:35,239 --> 00:19:38,650 Speaker 1: is now known as Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia is concern. 361 00:19:38,709 --> 00:19:42,020 Speaker 1: They have put in place what you called the unbreakable, 362 00:19:42,030 --> 00:19:45,589 Speaker 1: which is a compliance system, a procedure to make sure 363 00:19:45,599 --> 00:19:49,219 Speaker 1: there's zero fatalities in all the scheduled commercial flights. They 364 00:19:49,229 --> 00:19:52,239 Speaker 1: have also moved the new facilities, the air traffic control 365 00:19:52,250 --> 00:19:55,459 Speaker 1: to Kli a closer to where the action is and 366 00:19:55,469 --> 00:19:57,709 Speaker 1: I met the new CEO captain. No 367 00:19:57,765 --> 00:20:00,906 Speaker 1: man, he's a former pilot with Malaysia Airlines for 30 years. 368 00:20:00,965 --> 00:20:03,546 Speaker 1: And he told me about this compliance procedure. What it's 369 00:20:03,556 --> 00:20:07,065 Speaker 1: supposed to do. The radar is now system has been 370 00:20:07,076 --> 00:20:10,765 Speaker 1: upgraded and enhanced overlapping. So if one is down, they 371 00:20:10,776 --> 00:20:14,225 Speaker 1: can still track where the plane is. And for example, 372 00:20:14,234 --> 00:20:17,065 Speaker 1: the air traffic controllers, they go through drills, they are 373 00:20:17,076 --> 00:20:21,436 Speaker 1: supposed to be constantly on watch and ready to act 374 00:20:21,446 --> 00:20:23,426 Speaker 1: even when no one is watching. But 375 00:20:23,531 --> 00:20:26,472 Speaker 1: changing the culture he said is something else. It's something 376 00:20:26,482 --> 00:20:28,531 Speaker 1: is a work in progress. It something that Malaysia to 377 00:20:28,541 --> 00:20:31,511 Speaker 1: work on Olivia. Did you get any sense that the 378 00:20:31,521 --> 00:20:36,131 Speaker 1: Chinese resent Malaysia for what happened? Have people or political 379 00:20:36,141 --> 00:20:38,751 Speaker 1: ties been affected at all since the disappearance? 380 00:20:39,001 --> 00:20:43,061 Speaker 2: I think among the Chinese fies, there's definitely still some 381 00:20:43,251 --> 00:20:48,151 Speaker 2: anger with regard to how Malaysian authorities handle a situation. 382 00:20:48,321 --> 00:20:49,192 Speaker 2: They feel that there was 383 00:20:49,297 --> 00:20:54,878 Speaker 2: misinformation or conflicting reports and they are upset that Malaysia 384 00:20:54,887 --> 00:21:00,417 Speaker 2: Airlines and the Malaysian government has stopped engaging them. Some families, 385 00:21:00,427 --> 00:21:04,858 Speaker 2: they continue to visit China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs every 386 00:21:04,868 --> 00:21:10,517 Speaker 2: week for the past decade in hopes of getting answers 387 00:21:10,527 --> 00:21:13,917 Speaker 2: or assistance. And this is something that they have not 388 00:21:13,927 --> 00:21:14,967 Speaker 2: been able to do is stop the business 389 00:21:15,063 --> 00:21:18,644 Speaker 2: during the pandemic. But it's something we continue to do. 390 00:21:18,773 --> 00:21:22,513 Speaker 2: And this time, they wrote an open letter to the 391 00:21:22,523 --> 00:21:26,263 Speaker 2: Malaysian government and they are asking to meet the Malaysian 392 00:21:26,273 --> 00:21:30,534 Speaker 2: Prime Minister Ibrahim at least are hoping that with this 393 00:21:30,542 --> 00:21:34,173 Speaker 2: change in government that has taken place in this last 394 00:21:34,183 --> 00:21:37,563 Speaker 2: 10 years, that there will be a difference in how 395 00:21:37,734 --> 00:21:40,713 Speaker 2: mh 370 is handled. 396 00:21:41,430 --> 00:21:44,530 Speaker 1: And before we go mel, let's talk about the future 397 00:21:44,540 --> 00:21:48,089 Speaker 1: of Malaysia Airlines. It is not in the top 10 398 00:21:48,099 --> 00:21:50,930 Speaker 1: in terms of the sky tracks, ranking, not even breaking 399 00:21:50,939 --> 00:21:54,010 Speaker 1: the top 40 for that matter, but its new CEO 400 00:21:54,020 --> 00:21:57,810 Speaker 1: vows to turn things around. Right. Well, it used to be, 401 00:21:57,819 --> 00:21:59,889 Speaker 1: it used to be a top 10 airlines in the 402 00:21:59,900 --> 00:22:02,859 Speaker 1: world and it was the country's pride and joy. I 403 00:22:02,869 --> 00:22:05,250 Speaker 1: remember when I was studying in the UK in the nineties, 404 00:22:05,561 --> 00:22:08,472 Speaker 1: every time, you know, before I landed in KL, every 405 00:22:08,482 --> 00:22:10,541 Speaker 1: time if I step into the plane, when I'm greeted 406 00:22:10,552 --> 00:22:13,302 Speaker 1: by the air stewardess, I felt home already before I 407 00:22:13,311 --> 00:22:16,212 Speaker 1: even had the si felt like I'm home. You know, 408 00:22:16,432 --> 00:22:20,222 Speaker 1: that was what Malaysia Airlines for many Malaysians. So now 409 00:22:20,232 --> 00:22:23,271 Speaker 1: it's 47 placing on the sky tracks ranking some said 410 00:22:23,281 --> 00:22:27,091 Speaker 1: the flag carrier has never truly recovered from the twin 411 00:22:27,102 --> 00:22:29,581 Speaker 1: tragedies in 2014. You remember form 412 00:22:29,894 --> 00:22:34,223 Speaker 1: after the I 370 disappearance, the M 17 was shot 413 00:22:34,234 --> 00:22:37,953 Speaker 1: down from the sky over eastern Ukraine in July. Unbelievable. 414 00:22:37,963 --> 00:22:40,443 Speaker 1: It was so surreal. And here I was going to 415 00:22:40,453 --> 00:22:43,673 Speaker 1: the airport again for MH 17. So it was just 416 00:22:43,683 --> 00:22:46,634 Speaker 1: the most horrible year for airline for Malaysia as a 417 00:22:46,644 --> 00:22:49,754 Speaker 1: whole and the nation was in shock and the airline 418 00:22:49,763 --> 00:22:53,673 Speaker 1: was technically bankrupt. And taken private and downsize and then 419 00:22:53,826 --> 00:22:57,645 Speaker 1: came COVID-19 pandemic. It was another shake up. The airline 420 00:22:57,656 --> 00:23:01,066 Speaker 1: was restructured again. But today guess what? It has a 421 00:23:01,076 --> 00:23:05,565 Speaker 1: growing cash balance of 5 billion, that's over $1 billion.05 422 00:23:05,576 --> 00:23:09,315 Speaker 1: billion ringgit. Now it has the means. Now the management 423 00:23:09,326 --> 00:23:11,395 Speaker 1: team is very young. I think they are all in 424 00:23:11,406 --> 00:23:14,504 Speaker 1: their forties or early fifties. They now have the money 425 00:23:14,515 --> 00:23:17,345 Speaker 1: they said to invest to upgrade on what they want 426 00:23:17,355 --> 00:23:17,845 Speaker 1: to do on the 427 00:23:17,958 --> 00:23:21,927 Speaker 1: customer services and improve on the quality of food. For example, 428 00:23:21,936 --> 00:23:24,557 Speaker 1: because Malaysia Airlines known for food for its Nasi Lama 429 00:23:24,608 --> 00:23:27,677 Speaker 1: and for its s and so on. You know, so 430 00:23:27,887 --> 00:23:29,258 Speaker 1: and then they hope that they can make it back 431 00:23:29,267 --> 00:23:33,498 Speaker 1: to top 10 by 2030. Now, aviation analysts are saying 432 00:23:33,508 --> 00:23:36,718 Speaker 1: that the airline has a shot, a better shot without 433 00:23:36,728 --> 00:23:40,128 Speaker 1: the interference without any intervention from the government authorities, they 434 00:23:40,137 --> 00:23:41,968 Speaker 1: probably could have done a lot better. 435 00:23:42,619 --> 00:23:45,750 Speaker 1: 2014 was such a surreal year and it's really hard 436 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 1: to believe that so much time has passed. Thank you 437 00:23:48,010 --> 00:23:51,099 Speaker 1: guys both so much for coming on today. Thank you, Teresa. 438 00:23:51,250 --> 00:23:53,680 Speaker 1: Be sure to check out the stories by Mel and 439 00:23:53,689 --> 00:23:57,239 Speaker 1: Olivia on CN A's youtube channel and CN A dot Asia. 440 00:23:57,369 --> 00:24:00,079 Speaker 1: And a reminder that the TV episodes of CN A 441 00:24:00,089 --> 00:24:04,589 Speaker 1: correspondent air every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. This episode was 442 00:24:04,599 --> 00:24:08,030 Speaker 1: brought to you by SA N Clara Ong Christina Robert 443 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,169 Speaker 1: Craig Dale and myself, Teresa Tang. Thanks very much for 444 00:24:11,180 --> 00:24:11,719 Speaker 1: your company.