MH370 Malaysia and Australia are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on jurisdictional issues upon the finding of MH370, such as the handling of the black box and any human remains.

According to the New Straits Times , the MOU is to avoid any legal pitfall that may arise. However, its details will not be made public.

The NST report quoted Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman ( left ) as saying that Malaysia and Australia will be the only parties to the MOU, and that it was drafted in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) rules.

Azharuddin said Malaysia would lead most of the investigation, while Australia and other foreign agencies would assist.

The MOU is reportedly being studied by Canberra officials at the moment, while their Malaysian counterparts hope it will be concluded soon and endorsed by the cabinet at its next meeting.

The terms of the MOU will come into effect once any part of the aircraft is found.

'Very detailed and comprehensive'

It is said to be very detailed and comprehensive, even taking into account where human remains will be taken upon recovery and where autopsies will be performed, as well as the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of those on-board.

“Australia has its own laws on the handling of bodies of accident victims, and so does Malaysia... So a specific agreement on this is crucial.

“The 13 other governments whose citizens were on board the aircraft will also be approached to see how we can best handle them,” the report quoted an anonymous source familiar with the MOU as saying.

The report also stated that police investigators have carried out a re-enactment of what they believed happened to MH370 at the KL International Airport.

“The timeline for the re-enactment began from the night of March 7, from the time the passengers and crew checked in, right up to the runaway and MH370's parking bay.

“The exercise, kept closely under wraps, involved only police personnel and ran through late into the night,” the report said.