~For the safety of hundreds of millions of air passengers~

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 May 11, 2014

An open letter addressed to Malaysian Airlines and Malaysian Government

1. Urgent demand of family members

1.1 Searching for and locating the plane and the passengers on board MH370 remains the single most urgent demand of the family members. The search for the plane must not be suspended; the search efforts should be strengthened instead. Hundreds of family members of those onboard MH370 are struck with agony and grief. Most have also suffered from many sleepless nights missing their loved ones on board. If the search is halted or is done perfunctorily, it will mentally and physically inflict a great deal of pain to all the family members and is tantamount to “murdering” us.

1.2. In view of the fruitless search in the southern Indian Ocean, we deem it necessary to conduct independent research and analysis of the available data (including the raw INMARSAT data as well as the acoustic pulses detected by the Ocean Shield), and to discuss and revise the current search plan accordingly. Meanwhile, we respectfully request INMARSAT release all of the available data to the public and invite the willing and able minds from around the world to help with the analysis of such data, and make any necessary adjustments in a timely manner in the determination of the location where the plane might have landed (or crashed).

1.3. The investigation should be deepened and an independent third party should also be actively involved in the investigation. The family members should be notified of stage-by-stage investigation results in due course. When the truth is finally made clear, the relevant parties accountable shall officially apologize to the family members and bear the legal and financial responsibilities. If the investigation result shows that it was an intentional criminal act, then the murderers that carried out and that plotted this tragedy shall be punished to the fullest extent under applicable laws.

2. The preliminary report on the incident

Malaysian Airlines failed to provide the preliminary report in Chinese and did not explain the contents of the report to the family members or properly address the comments and doubts of the family members, which once again shows the utmost disrespect to family members and the utmost lack of responsibility. We hereby request Malaysian Airlines immediately provide family members with a Chinese version of the preliminary report with proper explanations of the relevant contents, listen attentively to the comments of the family members, and answer questions in a timely and substantive manner.

3. The nature of the US$50,000 ”Advanced Compensation Payment” and the payment process

3.1. The nature of the US$50,000 advanced compensation payment

No hard direct evidence of a plane crash has been found TO DATE. No one is in a position to clearly define the nature of the incident or the responsibilities of the relevant parties. Specifically, it is unclear whether Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, the pilots and/or any terrorist shall be held accountable. Thus, no one is in a position to determine the nature and amount of any compensation at this junction.

As per international convention and international practices, before a definitive conclusion is reached (fatal accident, air crash, hijack etc.), the US$50,000 payment shall not be considered compensation. At this stage, if paid, it should be merely a financial assistance payment for the support and consolation of the family members, as opposed to compensation.

3.2. Payment of US$50,000

Malaysia Airlines claimed that they would provide financial aid to MH370 passengers' next-of-kin, to help with their immediate economic needs, but added that “after the next-of-kin have returned home, they will initiate the payment process.” If Malaysia Airlines were to offer genuine help and support, they only need to identify the next-of-kin of the passengers, rather than intentionally complicating and hindering the process by attaching strings to the payment and making the payment through a third party.

3.3. Our attitude towards the US $50,000 advanced compensation payment

Before the investigation of this incident has any credible results, and before any direct evidence was presented to us, we refuse to accept any payment in the name of advanced compensation. Acceptance of such payment means disrespect and irresponsibility for our beloved ones on board. The Malaysian Government should continue the search with all resources at its disposal. They should not try to cover up this incident by offering some kind of advanced compensation payment as an excuse to end or slow down the search efforts.

4. Information updates to the family members and the issuance of check-in certificates

4.1 The check-in certificates issued by Malaysia Airlines are rife with serious mistakes on basic passenger information, such as wrong passenger name and age, etc. We request that before issuing such certificates, Malaysia Airlines verify passengers’ information more carefully. Malaysia Airlines should hand over the certificates to the families in person without setting up obstacles intentionally such as through a third party agent, so as to avoid traumatizing the families’ vulnerable feelings once again, and wasting their time and energy.

4.2 Since the family members began to return home on 2nd May, Malaysia Airlines has failed to provide updates on the latest developments of the search efforts. We hereby request that Malaysia Airlines establish a communication and liaison mechanism as soon as possible and hold face-to-face meetings with the family members on a regular basis through which Malaysia Airlines can update the family members on the latest news relating to the search efforts and investigation, and also follow up on comments and questions raised by the family members on a timely basis.

We reaffirm that finding the plane and our beloved ones on board MH 370 is our single most urgent demand. No one or nothing can distract us from our attachment to our loved ones. We respectfully request that the Malaysian Government, the Australian government and other governments honor humanitarianism, and respond to our petition by mobilizing all possible resources, resorting to all possible means and exerting all possible efforts so that the plane can be located on an early date, so that the family members of the passengers, Chinese people and all those who care about this incident will be given an answer they are owed.

Family members of all of the Chinese passengers on board MH370