Mh370 Victim’s Families Want Lawsuit Deadline against MAB Prolonged

23rd Feb 2016

Families of the victims who were onboard the MH370 flight that disappeared off the radar somewhere in the Indian Ocean back in March 2014 are now demanding that their lawsuit deadline against Malaysia Airline Berhad (MAB) be prolonged for another 60 days minimum.

The support group Voice370, which represents the families, criticized Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the sole shareholder of Malaysia Airlines for rebranding the airline as ‘Malaysia Airlines Berhad’. According to Voice370, this is a ‘ploy to shield itself from liability of negligence or other claims.'

Khazanah appointed an administrator to oversee the changes at then-MAS on 25^th May, 2015, including the transfer of assets and liabilities from MAS to the new company – MAB. MAB took over the operations as of 1^st September last year.

Moratorium on Legal Processes Against MAS and Subsidiaries Lasts Two Years

According to the Malaysian Airline System Berhad Act 765, a moratorium on any legal process against MAS, as well as its subsidiaries, will take effect once the administrator is appointed. The Act came into force on 20^th February, 2015.

The moratorium lasts for two years max and during its period:

No proceedings and not execution or other legal process in any court or tribunal may be commenced or continued with… against the Administered Companies or their property except with the prior written consent of the Administrator.

Support Group Voice370 Issues a Statement

In a statement regarding this Voice370 said:

When the administration and moratorium end, all monies, assets and business of MAS would most likely be transferred to the new legal entity MAB. Therefore, there will be nothing left in MAS when the said moratorium ends, making it pointless to sue them.

The support group also said they are cases filed against MAS by next of kin and is worried that all court cases against MAS/MAB would stop after 8^th March.

Voice370 has therefore issued a statement, saying:

We urge Malaysia and other relevant authorities to extend the time period for such claims/lawsuits beyond 8^th March by at least 60 days.

The statement continued:

Voice370 will not stand by this injustice silently. The search must go on and when the facts are known, the companies and individuals responsible for the loss of MH370 must be brought to justice.