KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A Malaysia Airlines flight from Australia's Brisbane bound for Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back due to an unexpected technical issue, the airlines said Thursday.

In a statement, the national carrier confirmed that its flight MH134 that departed Wednesday from the Brisbane International Airport at 11:18 p.m. local time bound for Kuala Lumpur, performed an air turn back to Brisbane.

"This was due to an unexpected technical issue that occurred after take off," it said, adding that the safety of all passengers and crew on board is of paramount importance at all times and the captain in charge made the decision to return to Brisbane.

The flight, which was scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 5:50 a.m. local time on Thursday, landed safely at the Brisbane International Airport at 12:34 a.m. local time Thursday, according to the statement.

"The aircraft is currently undergoing technical inspection and rectification," it said.