Malaysian boys sue airlines over loss of father on MH370

Two Malaysian boys sued Malaysia Airlines and the government on Friday over the loss of their father on Flight 370, the first lawsuit filed in the country by relatives of those aboard the jetliner that mysteriously disappeared eight months ago.

The lawsuit, brought by Jee Kinson, 13, and Jee Kinland, 11, is thought to be the first filed in Malaysia since the plane disappeared on 8 March with 239 people on board.

The boys are seeking an undisclosed amount in damages for mental distress, emotional pain and the loss of support following the disappearance of their father, Jee Jing Hang.

They accuse the civil aviation authority of negligence for failing to attempt to contact the plane in a “reasonable time” after it fell off the radar on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Papers filed at Kuala Lumpur High Court also allege that Malaysia Airlines failed to take all due measures to ensure a safe flight.

The directors-general of civil aviation and immigration, a Malaysian air force chief and government are also named alongside allegations that they committed gross neglect and breach of duty.

Despite one of the largest air and sea searches in history, no wreckage has ever been found and authorities continue to comb the Indian Ocean far off the coast of Perth, Australia, where it is believed to have crashed.

The Australian coordinators of the search have warned that the current phase could take another year and there is still no guarantee of success.

The boys’ lawyer, Arunan Selvaraj, said: “We have waited for eight months. After speaking to various experts, we believe we have sufficient evidence for a strong case. A big plane missing in this age of technology is really unacceptable.”

Mr Jee, who operated an online business earning a monthly income of almost 17,000 ringgit (£3,200), is presumed dead along with the other passengers and crew.

In March, a civil action case brought in the US on behalf of relatives was dismissed by a judge but several passengers’ families are said to be considering action.

Agencies/Canadajournal