Family of Flight MH370 victim sues airline, government in first law suit

A Malaysian family has sued the government and beleaguered national carrier for negligence in the disappearance of flight MH370, in what is believed to be the first lawsuit filed over the disaster.

The suit was filed by lawyers on behalf of the two underage sons of Jee Jing Hang, who was on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight.

Gary Chong, a lawyer for Jee's relatives, said the suit was filed in a Malaysian court today.

The family is suing Malaysia Airlines for breach of contract, saying the carrier failed in its contractual responsibility to deliver Jee to his destination.

The family is also suing Malaysia's government, civil aviation authorities, immigration department and air force for negligence.

"Our clients are after the truth. We have confidence in our judiciary system that this suit will be heard and dealt with fairly," a statement by the family's legal team said.

Chong said the family would seek damages but declined to specify a figure.

MH370 inexplicably disappeared on 8 March, with 239 people aboard, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in what remains a great aviation mystery.