The front page of major dailies went black-and-white today as Malaysia mourned the news of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 having gone down in the southern Indian Ocean, leaving no survivors.
‘MH370 R.I.P’ , was The Star’s stark headline, with the words being made up of the names of all 239 on board.
The New Straits Times in its headline, ‘Goodnight MH370' . picked up on the poignant final words heard from the cockpit of the aircraft in the early hours of March 8 before silence descended.
Upbeat breakfast radio and television programmes are also taking a sombre note, broadcasting outpourings of grief by listeners and viewers.
On social media, a stream of tributes and prayers have flowed since Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak broke the bad news at a press conference last night.
‘As far as I'm concerned, they're still flying. May the stars guide their way to the heavens,’ tweeted activist Pang Khee Teik.
Media personality Daphne Iking (left) shared a poem written by her friend Mitch Yusmar Yusof:
17 days since you went away..
I have waited with hope and prayed...
But today...I am awaken to the news of emptiness...
Where once there were husbands and wives, children and lovers, mothers, daughters and relatives...
And today....It is just...Emptiness.
There will be visits to those places of memories...
To walk the shores and fields...reminiscing ..remembering ..and maybe...just maybe...you will be there ...instead of..this emptiness...
I would climb to the top of the mountain...to the deepest ocean...to hear your voice in the wind...your laughter in the rustles of leaves...or your touch in the softness of the sand....Instead of this emptiness...
As I looked up towards the clear blue sky,
I pray...where ever you are...from where you’ve stopped to rest...and into the arms of the angels...you are HOME... at peace..and loved.
....And for many left behind...we will never understand and ever forget...their voices...through this emptiness.
For MH370.... GOD bless all. Good night.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting also started with a minute silence over the tragedy.
More reactions to the tragedy
Muhyiddin Yassin (Deputy premier): May Allah give the families of passengers and crew of MH370 in this trying time.The world, Malaysians and all involved in the search share your sadness.
Anwar Ibrahim (Parliamentary Opposition leader): There are no words to describe their pain, anguish and sorrow in the face of this tragedy and all concerned must give them full support and assistance in the days and months ahead no matter what it takes.
Not only should the media give them space and privacy but the authorities, in their investigation, should show the greatest consideration to the grieving families.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Home minister): I am saddened by news that MH370 has ended far from its initial destination. Let us pray that the families of victims find peace and accept His will.
Lim Guan Eng (Penang chief minister): Words will not suffice to express the crushing loss of the families. Let us offer our prayers for them.
Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (Selangor menteri besar): On behalf of the govenrment and people of Selangor, I express condolences to families of victims and pray that Allah is with them in their grief.
The Selangor government is willing to assist families with final rites and burial services according to respective beliefs.
Muslim prayers will be conducted at the Shah Alam mosque tomorrow night and we hope all Muslims can join us in praying that Allah blesses the souls of the departed.
Mahfuz Omar (PAS info chief and Pokok Sena MP): Alfatehah buat slrh pnmpng dn ank kpl MH370.moga Allah mrhmti anda semua.kami krimkn doa buat kalian dlautn hindi
Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN's Kinabatangan MP): Teruskan berdoa semuga MH370 di permudahkan penamuanya oleh Allah.
Nga Kor Ming (Perak DAP head): PM Najib now in parliament to table motion Express condolences to family of MH370. We want Truth, nothing but the truth.
Rafizi Ramli (PKR's Pandan MP): From Him we come and to Him shall we return. Give the grieving famil(ies) space. Thanks to everyone who have been involved in the search and rescue, too.
Saifuddin Abdullah (former deputy higher education minister): We are all members of the big family of MH370. We feel the sadness and we are together in this.
Teo Nie Ching (DAP's Kulai MP): If at this stage, it seems impossible to bring back the...passengers and crew, we should at the very least be committed to bring back the truth.
How did the flight en route to Beijing end up in the southern region of Indian Ocean? Hopefully through the effort of possible largest ever multi-nation search and rescue team, we will be able to bring answer and peace to the family and friends of the passengers and crew in the near future.
