20 April 2014| last updated at 06:50PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said as the head for the next-of-kin (NOK) committee, he understands the anguish and pain that the family members of those on board MH370 are going through.
"I give my personal assurance that our committee is keeping the families' best interest close to our hearts," said Hamzah adding that the previous three NOK committee meetings he had chaired involved 16 relevant ministries and agencies.
"We are working very closely with various governments especially with the countries whose nationals were on board MH370, from the meetings, various issues that needed urgent attention were addressed such as the objective and framework of our committee.
"I will be flying to Beijing soon to ensure that the bilateral ties between Malaysia and China remains unscathed by the MH370," he said at a press conference after attending a briefing with the affected family members here.
Hamzah said the NOK had been told that every party is looking for answers of what happened to the ill-fated flight and promised the families that he would bring issues that were raised in the briefing to the committee's meeting tomorrow.
He added part of the discussion with the NOK involved finding a solution for the family members to move forward as well as the amount of financial assistance that will be given to every affected families.
Hamzah said the financial assistance for every NOK would come from Malaysia Airlines and that the government would assist the airline if necessary.
Hamzah added that the NOK committee would be discussing on setting a date to announce that there were no survivors from MH370 so that relevant documents including death certificates could be issued.
"It has taken 44 days to find the missing MH370 and the family members were updated with information that has been furnished by the experts," he said.
Hamzah said the Chinese government holds a crucial role in explaining to the affected family members as they understand their own people and the culture.
He added that the sub-committee had also undertaken steps to address the needs and welfareof the Chinese next of kin including assigning Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun to discuss with the Chinese Government on the needs and welfare of the affected familiy members.
Hamzah say the team in Beijing has conducted briefings and the updates will be given when there are things that have come up.
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