2 minutes to understand why I am at this point criticising the authorities over the way they are handling the recovery of #mh370:
I am pretty sure the spotlight is on Malaysia, especially with so many other countries joining the S&R (search and rescue) Team. It should be the perfect opportunity for Najib & Co to boost his leadership credentials. But sadly.... that's not the case.
1. Immigration incompetency: You have a Transport Minister & a Defence Minister (same person holding both portfolios) replying "Do you know how many other missing passports are reported? 4 million" when asked why didn't the Malaysian immigration bother checking with Interpol on the missing passports. Interpol has confirmed that the missing passports were in their database. Did the Malaysian Immigration even bother using Interpol's database?
2. Contradicting statements from the chief of PDRM & DCA: Khalid Abu Bakar the IGP issued a statement confirming one had boarded the fateful flight, but DCA released another, confirming 5 missed the flight despite checking in.
3. Time of disappearance: Subang Air Control Traffic Centre reported the disappearance at 1.22am, whereas MAS only reported it at 7am. For this, MAS probably has their own protocols to abide, hence the delay.
4. Contradicting reports over the flight's turn into the Straits of Malacca: RMAF Chief confirms the plane took a sharp left turn and was hovering above the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, which was detected by its Butterworth control centre. This was denied by a spokesperson from the PM's office. Note: If you look at the Peninsular map, the directions of Beijing and the Straits of Malacca are totally different. Beijing is situated 2 o'clock from KLIA, straits of malacca is at 10 o'clock. To go to Beijing from KLIA, you wouldnt have to pass-by the straits of malacca because it is at a completely different direction.
5. Delayed information: International media seems to be giving more updates than local media. This gives international observers an impression that M'sian authorities tell M'sians what they want them to know, and hide what they don't want to know. A survey was conducted by the South China Morning Post asking if readers were satisfied with the amouny of information released by Malaysian authorities. A whopping 87% said NO.
It is true that every Malaysian is sympathising the loss and the grievance of the family members and I share that sympathy too. I might be condemned for criticising the authorities, or even scolded to shut up if i can do nothing but criticise. But the question is, how far can sympathies take you and help you in the search for #mh370? At this point in time, all eyes are on the leadership. The world is looking at how the authorities are managing this issue. Sympathies won't help you locate the plane. Strategy and good management wont gurantee you being able to locate the plane either. But at least, the latter is a better shot at recovering the plane. Right?
-Tweet me at @adrianlimcheeen
