As we look at photographs of the relatives of passengers of MAS flight MH370, the trauma is clearly etched on their faces. Whilst insensitive remarks have been hurled at various people, including MAS officials and the crisis management team, some opportunists have also used this occasion for political gain.

 

This should be a time when all of us, Malaysians and other nationals, stop bickering and stand united in offering our thoughts and prayers to the families of the passengers and crew of MH370.

 

It is also a time, when we should hold back our criticisms and allow MAS staff and the authorities, to continue to care for the families of the passengers and crew of MH370. The first priority is the families. The other priority is to coordinate and mobilise the Search and Rescue (SAR) effort.

 

Lives have been lost, questions remain unanswered and despite the efforts of several nations to help in the SAR mission, there is very little information about MH370.

Why was there a slight drop in altitude and a sudden change of course? Why was no distress signal sent, if there had been an emergency? Why did MH370 appear to drop out of the sky, for no apparent reason? Why is there no debris or transponder signal? At the time of writing, the plane has been missing for 48 hours.

 

We may never know what really happened to MH370. The first indication that something was wrong was when family members waiting at Beijing airport for the plane’s arrival, were ushered aside. The families must have expected the worst, from the looks of the MAS staff.

 

Back in Malaysia, family members had been asked to muster at KLIA, with valid passports, for travel to an undisclosed destination. Then came the long wait, in which frustrations set in, anxieties were amplified and rumour-mongers dominated the airwaves.

 

In all, 239 people, from 14 nations were involved. The majority (153) were from China, 38 Malaysians were lost.

 

The disaster happened whilst most of us were asleep (possibly around 1.30am Malaysian time). Malaysians awakened to the fact that MH370 had not arrived at Beijing.

 

A tragedy can sometimes bring out the best and the worst in people. Many countries have offered assistance and to date, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines America, Australia, Britain and Indonesia, have ships and aircraft on site, or on the way to help. Although the South China Sea is a highly disputed territory, nations can unite, in times of crisis.

 

Photographs of anguished  relatives, trying to make sense of a grim situation, are distressing. We must respect their need for privacy.

 

There were mothers, fathers, grandparents, children and babies on board MH370. They ranged from company directors to tourists, a group of visiting artists and students. One young Indonesian man was about to start a three-year stint with an oil-and-gas services company. For one elderly gentleman, this was his first trip outside Malaysia and also by aeroplane.

 

Security lapses

Serious lapses in security have been exposed, such as the vetting of passports at immigration control and steps are being taken, to correct the lackadaisical attitude to security. MAS has a relatively good safety record, despite claims that it is haemorrhaging money, because of political interference.

 

The disappearance of flight MH370 is baffling. With few news updates, it is depressing and frustrating, for both MAS and the families. Facts must be established, to avoid confusion and contradiction. The first responsibility of MAS is to the families, and not the general public.

 

The initial criticism about the lack of information, especially at the Beijing end, has been resolved. In times of crisis, communication is key. Even the best of airlines can have the most hopeless PR. Trained counsellors have been despatched, to deal with grieving relatives. They have been offered assistance with travel and accommodation.

Everyone in the MAS “family”, from Los Angeles to London, is affected. The loss of an aircraft is terrible, but to have known a crew member or passenger, makes it personal.

 

One of the worst things would be to capitalise on a tragedy like MH370. Najib Abdul Razak, as prime minister, wants to show his support for the families and that their sufferings are not forgotten. Although his effort is commendable, the presence of his extraordinarily large entourage is distracting and unnecessary. What should have been a compassionate move, has degenerated into another publicity farce.

 

Najib brought his wife, the ‘self-styled First Lady’, Rosmah Mansor, to meet the families of the stricken airline. At least one person vented his anger at her presence. In times like these, it is perhaps, judicious to be more circumspect about who accompanies the PM.

 

Najib’s good intention may have backfired, especially as pro-Umno blogging sites used footage of the FLOM’s visit to highlight the absence of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ( right in photo ). She and her daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar visited the hotel where the families were staying, but left because they did not want to interfere with the briefing given, to the families by Hishammuddin Hussein, the acting Transport Minister.

 

When someone asked why MAS was censoring the media, he was told that MAS did not want families to be distressed; but allowing only Bernama and RTM photographers and videographers to film the meetings, shows discrimination and will add criticism that Najib is merely seeking cheap publicity.

 

Let us show respect for the lost crew and passengers. Let us allow people to do their jobs and find out what happened to MH370, before we worry about recriminations.

 

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO).