SEPANG: Malaysia has deployed four of its assets in the search for the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 today.
Three navy vessels and a RMAF aircraft (C130 Hercules) have left to join the search and rescue operation led by Indonesia for the missing Singapore-bound aircraft, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
"I am working closely with my Indonesia and Singapore counterpart Ignasius Jonan and Lui Tuck Yew. We are offering our assistance to them," he told reporters.
Liow also dismissed claims that debris had been sighted and flight QZ8501 had been found.
He added that AirAsia flight QZ8501 was equipped with a weather airborne radar system.
Flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 7:24am (Surabaya local time) this morning.
The flight took off from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya.
The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC. There were two pilots, four flight attendants and one engineer on board. Also on board, 155 passengers with 138 adults, 16 children and 1 infant.