Malaysian Airlines MH 370 that has been missing for more than a week did not explode or crash. It was diverted off course to a different destination. The pilots of the plane are now under heavy scrutiny.

The search effort for crash debris that has persisted for over a week was still fruitless and now, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak has aired statements that the plane was deliberately diverted. (Excerpts from the statements taken from the Washington Post):

"In the first phase of the search operation, we searched near MH370's last known position, in the South China Sea. At the same time, it was brought to our attention by the Royal Malaysian Air Force that, based on their primary radar, an aircraft - the identity of which could not be confirmed - made a turn back. The primary radar data showed the aircraft proceeding on a flight path which took it to an area north of the Straits of Malacca.

Given this credible data, which was subsequently corroborated with the relevant international authorities, we expanded the area of search to include the Straits of Malacca and, later, to the Andaman Sea.

Early this morning I was briefed by the investigation team - which includes the FAA, NTSB, the AAIB, the Malaysian authorities and the Acting Minister of Transport - on new information that sheds further light on what happened to MH370.

Based on new satellite information, we can say with a high degree of certainty that the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) was disabled just before the aircraft reached the East coast of peninsular Malaysia. Shortly afterwards, near the border between Malaysian and Vietnamese air traffic control, the aircraft's transponder was switched off.

From this point onwards, the Royal Malaysian Air Force primary radar showed that an aircraft which was believed - but not confirmed - to be MH370 did indeed turn back. It then flew in a westerly direction back over peninsular Malaysia before turning northwest. Up until the point at which it left military primary radar coverage, these movements are consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane."

The key point here is that there was 'deliberate action.' The transponder and the communication systems were switched off. Aviaion experts have reiterated that these actions can only be done inside the cockpit.

The Prime Minister has now taken the appropriate course of action once this information was  established.

"In view of this latest development the Malaysian authorities have refocused their investigation into the crew and passengers on board. Despite media reports that the plane was hijacked, I wish to be very clear: we are still investigating all possibilities as to what caused MH370 to deviate from its original flight path."

The New York Post reports that Malaysia has initiated police action:

"Police on Saturday went to the Kuala Lumpur homes of both the pilot and co-pilot of the missing plane, according to a guard and several local reporters. Authorities have said they will investigate the pilots as part of their probe, but have released no information about how they are progressing."

Malaysia's lack of transparency has been a side issue during this period. China, whose nationals comprise the majority of the plane's passengers, has already expressed their irritation. PM Razak addressed this earlier in his statement:

"We understand the desperate need for information on behalf of the families and those watching around the world. But we have a responsibility to the investigation and the families to only release information that has been corroborated. And our primary motivation has always been to find the plane." He also emphasized that the situation is "without precedent."

The last contact with the plane showed that it was going Westward. Razak has stated that they have communicated with the embassies of nations which could be possible destinations of the plane.

Further reports on the plane's location are expected in the coming days.