Factual Information 2015:1.17 Organisational and Management Information/1.17.1.1.3
This page contains an extract from MH370/01/15 Factual Information which accompanied the (first) Interim Statement released by The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370 on 8th March 2015.
1.17.1.1.3 Search and Rescue (SAR)
With respect to SAR, no legislation specifically addresses the provision of assistance to aircraft in distress. However, in Malaysia, aeronautical SAR (ASAR) is provided in accordance with Annex 12 to the Convention of ICAO and International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Vol. I to IV. As signatory to the Chicago Convention, Malaysia is obligated to provide ASAR services on a 24-hour basis, within the Malaysian Aeronautical Search and Rescue Regions (SRR), (defined within the Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu FIRs.
With the implementation of National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20 effective 11 May 1977, ASAR Operational Procedures have been amended to harmonise with interagency actions during an aeronautical incident.
- a) Primary Aeronautical and Maritime SAR Agencies
- i. National Security Council (NSC)
National Security Council is the body responsible for establishing, developing and maintaining Aeronautical and Maritime SAR organisation in Malaysia. The Cabinet, through the Secretary of the National Security Council, directs the NSC on policy, international agreements, conventions and operational matter. The NSC is responsible to the Cabinet on all matters pertaining to Aeronautical and Maritime SAR.
- ii. DCA
The DCA is the SAR Authority for aeronautical incidents, and shall be responsible for the provision of Aeronautical SAR service within Malaysia’s Aeronautical Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs). As such DCA shall co-ordinate, liaise, train, equip, staff, maintain, develop procedures and operations and conduct exercises for A-SAR. DCA shall also assist the Maritime SAR Authority, when requested.
- iii. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)
The MMEA is the SAR Authority for maritime incidents, and shall be responsible for the provision of Maritime SAR service within Malaysia’s Maritime SRRs. As such MMEA shall co-ordinate, liaise, train, equip, staff, maintain, develop procedures and operations and conduct exercises for maritime SAR. MMEA shall also assist the Aeronautical SAR Authority, when required.
- i. National Security Council (NSC)
- b) Aeronautical SAR Plan of Operation
The purpose of this plan is to provide a set of specific Aeronautical SAR Operation Procedures in all SAR missions within the Malaysian SRRs, for which DCA is the SAR Authority for aeronautical incidents and, acts as Chairman to the Aeronautical SAR Working Group.
However, this plan is, by no means, exhaustive in nature, and is to be used in conjunction with IAMSAR MANUAL VOLUMES I, II, and III and as well as other departmental documents issued from time to time. Operational letters of agreements have also been signed with neighbouring States/SAR Regions. The preparedness and training of all entities is ensured through regular exercises and training.
- c) International SAR Treaties, Convention and Agreements
DCA Malaysia participates in a number of international organisations such as ICAO, and agreed to adopt search and rescue (SAR) standards and practices in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Finally there are agreements between Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines SAR agencies to enhance co-ordination, cooperation and mutual support for operations along commons borders.
- d) SAR Agreements
- i. Multi-Lateral
As a member state of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN), and in line with the declaration of ASEAN Concord for co-operation between the member states of Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Malaysia formalised the following on aeronautical and maritime SAR:
- ASEAN agreements for the facilitations of search for aircraft in distress and rescue of survivors of aircraft accidents, signed at Singapore on 14 April 1972; and
- ASEAN Agreements for the facilitations of search for ships in distress and rescue of survivors of accidents, signed at Kuala Lumpur on May 1975.
- ii. Bilateral
Malaysia has signed Bilateral Aeronautical SAR Agreements with the following:
- Singapore - 11 August 1984
- Indonesia - 29 August 1985
- Thailand - 09 September 1985
- Philippines - 09 December 1985
- Brunei Darussalam - 16 September 1998
Others Arrangements
- Special operational procedures for border SAR Malaysia/Indonesia by the General Border Committee, resulting from the special arrangements between the Malaysia/Indonesia SAR Working Group of both countries
Under the Operational Letter of Agreements between Singapore and Malaysia pertaining to aeronautical SAR service in the South China Sea Corridor Area*, Kuala Lumpur ACC shall take alerting actions while Singapore RCC shall conduct the aeronautical SAR mission.(See AIP Malaysia Volume I ENR 2.2-3):
* South China Sea Corridor Area is defined as the area West of 105E at flight level 150 to Ground/Sea Level and East of 105E at flight level 200 to Ground/Sea Level, within the dimensions of 023600N 1044500E to 020000N 107000E and along 020000N till the Singapore/Kota Kinabalu FIR boundary
- thence along 060000N till the Singapore/Kuala Lumpur FIR Boundary - thence along this boundary to 023600N 1044500E).- It shall be noted that the SAR responsibilities over high seas/Malaysia Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or over Malaysia Maritime SAR Region (MSRR) shall be under the jurisdiction of Malaysia SAR authorities exclusively.
- e) Area of Responsibility
In accordance with ICAO agreements to provide search and rescue (SAR) services in Malaysia and adjacent ocean areas, the country has been divided into two search and rescue regions (SRRs) for aeronautical coordination. The international boundaries are in accordance with ICAO agreements.
- f) The SRRs of Malaysia are defined as follows:
The areas coincide with the boundaries of the Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu Flight Information Regions; airspace as delegated by Aeronautical SAR Region (ASRR) Appendix ICAO under Malaysia’s jurisdiction, as promulgated in ICAO’s Regional Air Navigation Plan.
The Malaysia ASRR area of responsibility is as Figure 1.17B below:
Figure 1.17B - Malaysia Aeronautical SRR
- g) Maritime SAR Regions (MSRR)
The waters of Malaysia including the areas declared as the Continental Shelf Boundary and also the waters under the FIRs delegated to Malaysia. This information is published in IMO SAR Plan. Refer Figure 1.17C for MSSR.
Figure 1.17C - Malaysia Maritime SRR
- h) The responsibilities of DCA on SAR are as follows:
- Developing SAR policies;
- Developing ASAR bi-lateral agreements with adjacent states;
- Establishing, staffing, equipment and managing the ASAR system;
- Conduct training courses in search and rescue at the Civil Aviation Academy and refresher courses at the ARCC;
- Co-ordinate for SAR training and refresher courses;
- Establishing of ARCCs and ARSC;
- Arranging for SAR facilities;
- Conduct an co-ordinate all SAR missions involving civil aircraft within its areas of responsibility;
- Assist in the conduct of all SAR missions involving military aircraft, when requested by RMAF;
- Assist in the conduct of SAR missions involving vessel when requested by MRCC/MRSC;
- Provision and maintenance of the Kuala Lumpur ACC, Kota Kinabalu ARSC and Kuching ARSC;
- Tasking of SAR participating aircraft or vessel for search and rescue operations:
- Provision of survival equipment;
- Periodically conduct national and international search and rescue exercises (SAREX)
- i) Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region (FIR)
The KL ATCC is headed by the Director and supported by Deputy Director for ATCC, Deputy Director for KL TMA and 243 ATCOs of various grades. Total number of ATCO posts approved by the government is 353, however as of March 2014 there were 110 vacant posts. The KL ATCC’s Controler Working Positions (CWPs):
i. Approach Control Surveillance
- TMA Supervisor.
- Approach North
- Approach South
- Approach Low
- Approach Radar (Flow Control)
- ii. Area Control Surveilliance
- Sector 1 Area Control Surveilliance
- Sector 2 Area Control Surveilliance
- Sector 3 Area Control Surveillance
- Sector 4 Area Control Surveillance
- Sector 5 Area Control Surveillance
- Sector 6 Area Control Surveillance (Sector 1 Upper)
- Sector 7 Area Control Surveillance
- iii. Area Control Procedural
- 5 Area Control Porcedural
- Sector 1 Area Control Porcedural
- Sector 2 Area Control Porcedural
- Sector 3 Area Control Porcedural
- Sector 4 Area Control Porcedural
- iv. Sector Flight Data Assistant/Clearance Delivery
- Sector 1 Flight Data Assistant
- Sector 2 Flight Data Assistant
- Sector 3 Flight Data Assistant
- Sector 4 Flight Data Assistant
- Sector 5 Flight Data Assistant
- Sector 6 Flight Data Assistant
- Flight Data Processing
- Clearance Delivery
- Asst. Clearance Delivery
- Asst. Flight Information Services
- v. Working Positions (No Rating required)
- i. Multi-Lateral
Source: Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370, 8 March 2015, Factual Information MH370/01/15
The Factual Information was updated in 2018 by the Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 which added new content but did not include all of the previous data.