Shahidan Kassim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, has refuted claims that Malaysia has failed to manage the MH370 incident well, although he acknowledged that there may be weaknesses in media engagement.

Even then, he claimed, it is because  Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman (in brown shirt) is being “bullied” by the international media.

"What did we do that is considered weak? Perhaps in terms of reports (to the media)... But the reports are fine. It is the additional questions that I think he (Azharuddin) need not answer.

"People talk about the way the DCA director-general answers questions. The problem is not that, it is the (news) reports.

"In terms of him presenting his reports, how is that nonsense? He is being bullied now because of the additional questions fielded, which I think he does not need to answer. 

"After presenting his reports, he should just walk off," Shahidan told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.

Azharuddin has been in charge of presenting updates at the crisis centre in Sepang on the search and rescue operation involving Flight MH370, which has been missing since March 8.

He earned flak after a reference to Italian footballer Mario Balotelli in describing two imposters who had boarded the ill-fated flight using passports that had been reported stolen.

Shahidan blamed some journalists for asking "nonsense" questions.

"Some reporters ask nonsense. Look at the foreign press, they ask things that have nothing to do with the incident," he said.

'MH370 motion rejected'

In the Dewan Rakyat, a motion to debate the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines aircraft, which was carrying 239 passengers and crew, was dismissed in writing by speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia this morning.

Immediately after Question Time, Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena, right ) who had filed the motion,  interrupted the proceedings to voice dissatisfaction of the decision.

"The speaker rejected the motion by giving the reason that a detailed investigation into the incident is in progress,” he said.

"But it is important for this Parliament to represent the people of Malaysia in registering our regret over the incident to the families of passengers.”

At this, Deputy Speaker Ismail Mohamed Said, who was chairing the session, reiterated the decision made by the speaker.

Ismail pointed out that the House had already observed a minute’s silence for prayers yesterday.

Opposition parliamentarians had boycotted the yesterday’s sitting.