The Indonesian navy has already sent five of its warships to search for the missing aircraft, along with Malaysian and Thai warships
Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - Indonesias navy will help search for the missing Malaysian Airlines aircraft as optimally as possible, commander of the Sea Security Force of the Western Fleet Command, Commodore Harjo Susmoro, said here on Monday.

The Indonesian navy has already sent five of its warships to search for the missing aircraft, along with Malaysian and Thai warships, and three of the ships have already arrived at the search location near Penang island in Malaysia, he said.

He stated that the Indonesian Military (TNI) will not set a deadline for the search operation for the aircraft, which has been missing since Saturday, March 8.

"(We will operate) as fast as we can until we find it. However, if Malaysia calls for a stop we will stop, but if it does not we will continue searching. We will help as optimally as possible," he said.

Regarding fuel and logistical needs, he said he hoped the ships could refuel in the sea to cut time for returning to the base.

In general, the fuel capacity of the ships is for seven days, he said.

The Tanjung Pinang chapter of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), meanwhile, has prepared a SAR ship to help find the missing aircraft.

"We are ready, and while we are waiting for directives we are preparing for other operational needs," the head of the Tanjung Pinang Basarnas chapter Abdul Hamid said.

The Ketamaran SAR ship is expected to join other SAR ships from Malaysia to find and evacuate victims of the incident.

He said he was not able to confirm yet when the ship will leave.

Seven Indonesian citizens were aboard the missing Malaysian Airlines MH 370 Flight.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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