MH370 As the MH370 crisis draws on, acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has found growing support on social media.

Hishammuddin - who is also the defence minister and the former home minister - has been holding daily press conferences on the issue since early in the crisis, which is now in its 19th day.

He is normally accompanied by MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya and Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman in these press conferences, which are broadcast live and include a question-and-answer session.

These comments came as Malaysia’s handling of the crisis is much criticised and only occasionally praised in the media, while family members of Chinese passengers on board the flight accuse the government of “murder” and “cover-up”.

There also some support for the embattled Ahmad Jauhari as well, who is facing criticism including from the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam).

However the support, which is being tweeted under the hashtag #isupportahmadjauhariyahya, does not appear to be as widespread as those for Hishammuddin.

“Stop dissing him (Ahmad Jauhari) and his team. I commend all he has done. Put yourself in his shoes. Tell me? How would have you done it better?” said the TV host and actress Daphne Iking.

Below are a number of selected tweets and Facebook posts directed at Hishammuddin over the past few days, including brickbats:

PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali @AzminAli

I wish to thank Hishammuddin and all officers working hard in the search and rescue operation. It is a heavy responsibility…

Hishammuddin, the months ahead will be very trying. Be strong and focused.

@tsukkydesu

Hishammuddin my friend was in there but thank you Datuk Seri and appreciate for your effort on searching MH370. Thank you so much.

Farah Meor (via Facebook)

Datuk Seri, you looked and sounded so broken during the press conference. I know it has been hard. Please know the true Malaysians are here to support you and the rest if the brave search and rescue team.

caskonaro @caskonakaro

I use to criticize Hishammuddin a lot. But on this #MH370 issue, he stood well and never give up. To me that’s an act of a true statesman.

Bill McIntyre (via Facebook)

You deserve every credit for the very professional way you have handled this extremely difficult situation. Well done sir.

m mathuraiveran @mathuraiveran

Dato Seri Hishammuddin cool in answering the media after so many questions. No joke handling two ministries. Well done...

Some ministers have just one portfolio but just smile and run away from their responsibility. They just want glamour.

haryani mohd saleh @haryanimsl

Thank you Datuk Seri Hishammuddin and team for all the effort. I spoke personally with one of the family (members of those onboard MH370), they wish thank you to you.

Wong Choc Ky (via Facebook)

Hi Datuk Seri. It is indeed not an easy job to deal with. No matter what it takes, I believe the ordeal will end one day. I have faith in all of you and I believe both Malaysian government and MAS can weather this ordeal with grace. Good luck and cheers up Datuk Seri.

PKR vice president Tian Chua @tianchua

Transport Minister Hishammuddin is repeating the same mantra “our priority is to look for MH370" but refuses to answer questions from MPs.

Louis Jadwong @Jadwong

Despite the tough times, he has looked prime minister material to me. [In response to a Bloomberg Australia article on whether the crisis would hurt Hishammuddin’s chances to become prime minister.]

Penguin Masak Kicap @EpalGoreng

March 2013, there was the Lahad Datu incident. March 2014, MH370. By coincidence, both are handled by Hishammuddin. Tough guy.