MH370: Malaysia perceived to lack transparency - Quest

“This is no doubt an unprecedented and unique situation. And the authorities have been overwhelmed by what happened that they came across as disorganised,” he said in a phone interview on Agenda AWANI Roundtable on MH370, Tuesday.

“The fundamental criticism of the Malaysian handling of the crisis has been one of presentation and information than the actual handing of the investigation. We don’t know really too much about the investigation. Information has been fairly slow,” adding that there were instances that authorities failed to correct wrong information disclosed earlier.

“When you have the acting Transport Minister saying I can’t tell you this or I can’t tell you that, while at the same time there are officials leaking information left, right and centre - you get an impression that there is something to hide,” he added.

“Nothing could have been more damaging for Malaysia’s appearance for transparency than not correcting the ‘All right, Good night’, “referring to the last words from the cockpit of MH370 before it disappeared.

According to a transcript released by the Department of Civil Aviation, the plane’s final communication with air traffic control was actually 'Good night, Malaysian three seven zero,' not 'All right, Good night' as reported three weeks earlier.

Richard went on to banter with panelists on the failure of the Malaysian and Thai military to intercept flight MH370 when it flew across their respective airspace after the plane made an air turn back.

He also spoke about the western media’s coverage on the incident and whether he would stop flying with Malaysia Airlines.