KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said Sunday in a statement that they are in contact with their counterparts in Indonesia and Singapore and stand ready to offer assistance. "With regard to AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore, the Indonesian government has commenced search and rescue operations,"he said.

An Airasia passenger plane on Sunday lost contact with ground control after departing from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore.