KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Reuters) - The search for the wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean has been suspended due to poor weather conditions and will only resume at the end of the year, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said on Thursday.

The exploration company charged with searching for the wreckage of the plane, Ocean Infinity, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"I think right now it's not the season. I think they (Ocean Infinity) have stopped the operation for the time being and will resume the search at the end of this year," Transport Minister Loke was quoted by Bernama as saying.

Responding to news of the long delay, Kelvin Shim, whose wife was on the ill-fated flight, said he was not surprised as the weather in the southern hemisphere was changing.

"We have been waiting for more than 11 years, so this is just another few more months... I can still wait," the 50-year-old said.