He said funding had never been an issue but that the governments involved in the search had wanted more credible data before agreeing to take operations in the Southern Indian Ocean any further.

“We have to be more sure … more credible this time. We need more evidence before the next tripartite meeting is convened,” he told reporters during a special event called the “Day of Remembrance for MH370″ held at Publika here today.

He said that although search operations at sea were suspended on Jan 17, investigations into the possible location of the aircraft were still ongoing, and aviation experts were scrutinising whatever data they had for answers.

“The experts need more time to study satellite images and debris patterns. Wait for the team of experts to give us more data.

“As of now, we are suspending it (search operations),” Liow said, adding that the governments of the countries involved were in agreement with the suspension until such time that more credible leads surfaced.

Meanwhile, Liow confirmed that three of the 27 pieces of debris found so far were various parts of the missing aircraft. Two pieces were from South Africa while the other was found on Reunion Island.

“We have also allowed the next-of-kin of MH370 victims to view the debris,” he said, adding that the governments of South Africa and Australia had also been enlisted to help identify the debris found thus far.

He added that the government was preparing to sign memorandums of understanding (MoU) with several countries to aid in the search for more debris related to MH370.

“Once the MoUs are signed, the respective nations involved will help us find the debris.

“There will also be standard operating procedures in our search. If more debris is found, then we will send a team to locate (the fragments) and comb the area where the debris was found.

It has been three years since MH370, with 239 people on board, went missing while on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.