Malaysian PM admits missteps in MH370 search; scouring resumes

He admitted that it took air-traffic controllers four hours to launch the search-and-rescue operation but stressed that the plane vanished at a moment between two countries' air-traffic controls which caused maximum confusion. 

“Despite this, the search began about a third quicker than during the Air France AF.FR 0.00 per cent Flight 447 tragedy in 2009. Nevertheless, the response time should and will be investigated,” he said.

Najib asserted that none of this could have altered the fate of Malaysia Airlines plane.

The Beijing-bound Boeing 777-200 plane, carrying 239 people, including five Indians, an Indo-Canadian and 154 Chinese nationals - had mysteriously vanished on March 8 after taking off from Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, the search for the plane in the vicinity of the acoustic signals acquired by the Towed Pinger Locator in the southern Indian Ocean in April resumed yesterday with the Australian vessel Ocean shield arriving back in the area after a port visit.