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MH370 transcript released, 'Goodnight Malaysian 370' confirmed as last words

Source: Xinhua | April 1, 2014, Tuesday | Online Edition

MUCH awaited full transcript of the final communication between the cockpit of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and air traffic control was released by the Malaysian government on Tuesday.

"We are releasing the full transcript of communications between flight MH370 and Air Traffic Control Kuala Lumpur. The transcript has been shared with the families. There is no indication of anything abnormal in the transcript," an official statement said.

It confirmed that the final words from the cockpit were " Goodnight Malaysian Three Seven Zero" not "All right. Good night" as previously reported.

The discrepancy of phrases has become a symbol of sorts for what little is known about the actual investigation with media and families of passengers becoming increasingly frustrated by the Malaysian government's reluctance to release more details.

The Malaysian government has defended non-release of the transcript saying it was initially held as part of the police investigation.

Previously, Malaysia Airlines had stated initial investigations indicated that the voice which signed off was that of the co-pilot but the latest statement said police are still working to confirm this belief, and forensic examination of the actual recording is ongoing.

"The international investigations team and the Malaysian authorities remain of the opinion that, up until the point at which it left military primary radar coverage, MH370's movements were consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane," the statement added.

In an attempt to reduce tension the Malaysian government is holding a special closed door briefing for families in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, which will also be telecast live to Beijing so relatives anxious for news in the Chinese capital can gather information in real time.

Experts previously unavailable to talk to the families will also be included in this latest round of communication.

Malaysia's Acting Transport Minister Hishamuddin Hussein on Monday reiterated the government would "not give up" on the possibility of survivors and insisted all attention was being paid to "reasonable" requests from families who had their loved ones on board MH370.

He also downplayed questions from the media on the investigation and refused to release transcripts on the MH370's flight path mapped out by investigators that had already been shown to families during briefings, saying it would be "unfair" to the families.

However Hishamuddin did assure the media that if investigators give approval more information would be released.

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