YOURSAY 'Gov’t must learn from criticism of its handling of MH370 crisis.'

Gov’t seeks guidance in dealing with irate families

Ferdtan: Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, don’t ask our local Chinese media; they can’t help you because they are afraid to offend you, the Umno ministers, with the truth.

Umno leaders are not known to take criticism well, especially coming from the Chinese; telling it like it is, will never be accepted at face value. You know it is the “ketuanan” (supremacy) thing? That is the problem.

Okay, since you are interested to seek advice on how to handle China’s negative perceptions we can help…if you are sincere and willing. First accept the responsibility of the bad handling of the search and rescue operation.

Be humble enough to admit shortcomings and inexperience. Be honest and be transparent in future dealings with them.

Hard to get back their confidence now after what happened but if you are sincere, some of them may forgive Malaysia and accept the inevitable.

Lack of transparency on our part (perceived or otherwise) is the main complaint that made the families of the China’s MH370 passengers and the world media, doubtful and angry.

Next ask our Premier Najib Abdul Razak to apologise in public on the country’s behalf to all the families of the passengers and crew.

Humility can go a long way to soothe feelings, no matter how tragic. Why the need for an apology? The plane was a Malaysian plane. The passengers are all our customers.

How the plane got missing and possibly crashed is secondary at this moment of grief. We are still responsible. We can’t hide that fact. There is no shame in apologising. It is not a sign of weakness. Can our BN government do that?

Hmmmmmmmm: Just threaten to remove the printing press licences from them if they don't write what you want them to and your problem will be solved. If you continue to blame the online press, opposition, etc, 60 percent of the people will always be against you.

Wira: Go buy a newspaper permit in China and print news like Utusan Malaysia there. Do it the way you know best.

Ex-PJ: When in trouble ask for help, even from the local Chinese media. When not in trouble, persecute all non-bumis. How should they respond?

Continue-The-March: When Umno does not need the Chinese Malaysian votes/help they ask us to balik Tongsan (go back to China).

Now they are screwed left right and center by China and the global media, they are asking Chinese Malaysians for help.

Maybe they should ask Perkasa and acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to show China and the global media their keris and ask them to shut-up and go home.

Whatsup: Stop blaming others for the fiasco brought about by ministers and officials. Their blunders invited international ridicule, so don't threaten to arrest people on this matter anymore - you are only inviting more criticism. If those clowns didn't contradict themselves so much, why would they be criticised?

Were the Australian premier and others criticised? Why only Malaysian ministers and deputies? The difference is gray matter. You guys just don't have it.

Spinnot: I have been following MH370 on CCTV News (China), Phoenix Channel (Hong Kong), BBC World News , Sky News , and CNN .

Actually I found CCTV News has been quite neutral in reporting MH370. Phoenix has been very critical and two or three of its so-called "commentators" were taking some speculation/rumours too seriously. BBC , Sky and CNN too were very critical especially in the first two weeks.

Liujinzhong: It looks like you are in a mess. Otherwise, you will not look to local Chinese media for assistance. All this while, you have been too proud to approach local or foreign Chinese media for help. Perhaps the fact is all along, you did not know that there is Chinese media.

Heavenly King: Many factors involving the Malaysian authorities, especially the government, contributed to the delay in mounting the search.

To name a few: Incompetence, laid-back attitude, poor leadership, lack of transparency, reluctance to let advanced nations to help or lead, reluctance to disclose data, failure to admit own mistakes, too many cooks involved, appointing a non-technical man to lead the search.

Also blaming others like the two pilots, foreign media, and neighbouring countries for not disclosing their radar data, etc.

The initial delay in mounting a search and rescue operation is the killer. Scientists in China and Australia confirmed there was no explosion in the air and sea on the morning of March 8 and that the plane most probably glided onto the sea.

It would have floated for seven hours and the people on board would have been rescued if immediate action was taken. Now you know why the Chinese are furious?

James TCLow: Ahmad Shabery, I really hope that you are well versed in aviation and satellites. The question is, if our performance is satisfactory, why the criticism all-round?

Never mind China, we have been criticised by the Americans, Australians, Vietnamese, British and as a matter of fact the world over. How do you explain?

Hplooi: "Some online news and blogs played up the issues have possibly breached laws." What he is saying is that whilst he cannot get at the foreign media he can go after us locals. He (and the whole ruling establishment) still don't get it.

I conjecture that the meet-the-local-Chinese-media will be a one-way dialogue with only dos-and-don'ts issued by the ministry. Honestly I cannot see any honest dialogue coming.

They still don't get it. That many of the faux pas contributing to the public relation disaster (especially in-relation to China’s citizens) are entirely of their own making.

Though subsequently search and rescue operations and media relations improved, the earlier disaster without even a hint of apology (but merely an apportionment of blame), is a strong contributor to this current imbroglio. So please don't blame the online media or the opposition.

In fact, during the early days, online discussions offered many useful suggestions to the search and rescue (SAR) team –I n the early days there was no coherent SAR team or response.

When I was in Macao on conference (26-29 March), I did receive some (unofficial) queries from minor Chinese officials regarding the MH 370 disaster which I steadfastly answered with "Malaysia is doing her best under the circumstances."

But there is a strong upwelling of unease amongst Chinese citizens towards our government. However people-to-people relationships are still cordial.

Justice Pao: Too many twists and turns from those involved, like the DCA, immigration, MAS, Home Ministry, Defense Ministry, RMAF, the bomoh, the PM department and even the Multimedia Ministry. That is why people do not believe you.

Roti Chanai: First things first. Get those brainless ministers and their assistants to think before they talk. Then stop going on the offensive and playing the blame game against the opposition.

Always remember - say nothing unless you have something good to say; regardless whether it’s about yourself or your opponents.

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