PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will send a team to Maldives to inspect debris which could be from MH370.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri LiowTiong Lai (pix) said Malaysia has been officially notified by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority about unidentified debris that had been found in the island.
"At this juncture, no verification of the debris has taken place," said Liow in a statement, Monday.
He said the team would view and conduct preliminary verification of the debris.
"Once it is determined to be aircraft debris, discussions will be held to determine the next step in terms of the process of analysis.
"At this stage, it is highly premature to speculate on whether this debris is in any way connected to MH370," he said.
Liow urged all parties to allow for the verification process to take its course.
He said undue speculation will only distress the next-of-kin and loved ones, anxiously waiting for news on the matter.
"We appreciate the support given by the Maldivian authorities and we look forward to their continued assistance," Liow said.
Local authorities on the island had taken possession of a 2.4 by 0.6 metres-long panel which will be handed over to experts for verification.
Other debris had also been recovered from other islands - two in Baa Atoll and one in Noonu Atoll.
But local media are downplaying the discovery, saying that it could be material used in resort construction.
Flight MH370 disappeared on March 8 last year while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. It is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, about 3,700km from Reunion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri NajibTunRazak said last week that experts had “conclusively confirmed” a piece of debris found on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion last week was part of the wing of MH370.