MH370 Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak used his visit to Perth this morning to thank Australian counterparts for their efforts in searching for MH370, but yet again evaded questions.
His press conference telecast live on CNN showed the PM reading a statement and leaving when the media started asking questions.
This has been characteristic of Najib's press conferences on MH370, with the PM taking questions at only the first of the four press conferences he held on the search for the jet which vanished on Mar 8.
This morning, neither he nor Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott who made a statement at the same event prior to Najib, took any questions. Abbott also left with Najib.
"At this difficult time, Australia has proven an invaluable friend. The Australian authorities, like so many others, have offered their assistance without hesitation or delay.
"I would like to sincerely thank Australia for all they have done, and are doing, to find the plane," Najib read out at the press conference.
Najib also said that Malaysia owes each of the hundreds involved in the search a "debt of gratitude" for their contribution over the last 27 days.
"The search area is vast, and the conditions are not easy. But the new refined search area has given us new hope," he said after visiting sailors and aircrew at the Pearce Air Force Base.
Ten aircraft and nine ships are now searching the Indian Ocean for signs of wreckage, but none of the floating objects spotted by satellites were confirmed as parts of the Boeing 777-200ER.
"I know that until we find the plane, many families cannot start to grieve. I cannot imagine what they must be going through. But I can promise them that we will not give up," Najib said.
Although he did not take questions at the press conference, Najib later made comments to Bernama over the kidnapping in Sabah last night.
According to the national newswire, Najib arrived at the Perth International Airport at 11pm yesterday with his wife Rosmah Mansor.
Also on the two-day working trip is Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, Department of Civil Aviation director general Azharudin Abdul Rahman and Air Force chief Rodzali Daud.
He was greeted by Prime Minister’s Department adviser Jamaluddin Jarjis and Malaysian high commissioner to Australia Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
