Malaysia has deployed three Royal Malaysian Navy vessels, KD Pahang, KD Lekir and KD Lekiu in search of the missing QZ8501.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Malaysian government is committed to assist in the search operations, led by the Indonesian authorities.

“The Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft have been assigned and currently searching the area east of Pulau Belitung,” he said at a press conference today.

“They will also receive additional instructions from the Indonesian coordinating authorities for any further assignment within the search area,” he added.

Liow said the government is also in close contacts with Indonesia and would continue to work closely to find the missing aircraft.

He had yesterday, denied speculations that the plane has been found.

The AirAsia Indonesia aircraft, an Airbus A320-200, reportedly lost contact with the Indonesian air traffic control centre at 7.24am, local time, while on its way to Singapore from Surabaya.

Based on the flight manifest, one Malaysian was onboard the flight which was reported missing with 162 passengers and crew members.

The Malaysian has been identified as Sii Chung Huei.