Malaysian govt breaks silence on missing jet; oil spill confirmed: Here is the full text

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian government on Sunday broke its silence over the Malaysian Airlines jet that went missing over South China Sea with 239 passengers onboard, and confirmed oil spill reports. In a presser, the civil aviation department of Malaysia said that the flight is still missing. The Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) held a press conference and told mediapersons that search operations have been intensified, as the search radius was significantly increased from 20 nautical miles to 50 nautical miles. Aviation experts are meanwhile wary that the jet might have become a victim of bad weather, mechanical failure, pilot error, or a fateful crash. But the discovery of two passengers traveling aboard the flight with stolen passports prompted authorities to launch a terror probe into the vanished jet.

At present, 34 aircrafts and 40 ships have been pressed into action in search for the flight MH370.

Here is the full text of the statement issued by Malaysian government: This is to report our effort to find the aircraft today. As you know that as reprinted yesterday the aircraft was lost from our radar. We have intensified our search in or area. 20 nautical miles increased to 50 nautical miles. Vietnam, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, USA, Australia and Philippines helping. 34 aircrafts and 40 ships now being deployed. Air search started 7 am this morning to 7 PM this evening. Ships continue to search even at night. Outcome so far - no sign of aircraft. Although confirmed reports of oil spills. Not verified yet by authorities. The possibility of aircraft turn back has also included the straits of malacca. Not ruling out possibility of hijack. Main concern in finding the aircraft - once found it will be easier to establish what exactly has happened. Authorities are concerned and investigating the 2 passports. Investigating false passports at all angle.

Investigating team will give us the report of the two names of false passports. To give them full authority before releasing information. Last communication was from when plane shifted from local airspace to Vietnamese airspace. Videos of 2 passengers being looked at by investigators.

Yes Vietnam has found debris near taochu island but not from Mh370. Let authorities investigate claims on video of 2 passengers. All facts will be revealed by relevant authorities. Main focus is missing aircraft. Please bear in mind that it is of utmost importance. Lead agency is the Department of Civil Aviation for the SAR and investigation. Possibility of air turnback looked at that's why straits of malacca being investigated. There is an oil spill found but we haven't verified what it is.

There is no submarine coming into Malaysia from foreign countries but some are sending rescue ships. TLDM deploying submarine rescue vessels. An increase in assets - Australia will send 2 aircraft. Tonight one tomorrow morning another.

Thailand sending a offshore patrol vessel with 2 aircraft. Indonesia has already deployed maritime patrol aircraft and 5 vessels. Americans have 1 aircraft in operation in the Straits of Malacca.