He said an internal committee would be formed immediately by the transport ministry to determine the type of action that could be taken against them.

“I have instructed the transport ministry’s secretary-general to set up the committee and the decision on the action to be taken (against the ATCs) will be made known in about a month,” he said at the Parliament lobby today.

Loke said some of the ATCs concerned, who at the time were staff of the Department of Civil Aviation, were now with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

Failure to comply with the SOPs was cited in the report on MH370 released by the Malaysian International Civil Aviation Organisation Annexe 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370, yesterday.

At the same time, Loke confirmed the resignation of Azharuddin Abdul Rahman as CAAM chairman, with a 14-day notice.

“I’m not saying there was any wrongdoing but based on the report, he has resigned. There’s no report against anybody. According to the report there was breach of SOPs and he was the director-general (of the DCA) then. Now, what he is doing is accepting accountability,” Loke said.

Asked if any action would be taken against Azharuddin, the minister said this would depend if there were further investigations.

MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

Earlier, Loke when tabling a special motion in the Dewan Rakyat on the report, said the investigation team had analysed the air turn back made by the plane which did not comply with its flight route and the air traffic control operations then.

Crew profiles, airworthiness of the jet, maintenance records, satellite communication records, aircraft debris, the organisational structure and management of DCA and Malaysia Airlines and as well as cargo consignments on board were also analysed, he said,

“In relation to this, the government is studying the safety recommendations made in the report and will take the appropriate remedial measures to prevent air accidents in future.

“At the same time, the government will also carry out investigations and take action over any wrongdoing based on the existing laws,” he said.

Loke also expressed his appreciation to Kok Soo Chon, the investigator in charge, the Malaysian ICAO Annexe 13 Safety Investigation Team on MH370, and all those involved in ensuring a fair and transparent investigation.

“The release of this report shows the commitment and transparency of Malaysia in fulfiling its responsibility as a signatory of the Chicago Convention and Annexe 13.

“The investigation team was given total freedom to conduct its investigation and no changes whatsoever were made in the report. The Cabinet during its meeting on July 11, 2008, was briefed on the report,” he added.