KUALA LUMPUR
(AFP) - Malaysia's deal with pro-Russian rebels on MH17 caps an official
response to the disaster that is being hailed at home as a swift and clear
counterpoint to the government's widely mocked reaction to the disappearance of
MH370.
But in stark
contrast to the handling of MH370, Mr Najib and his government have responded
quickly and coherently to the tragic downing of MH17 over eastern Ukraine with
298 people aboard by a suspected missile fired by pro-Russian separatist
rebels.
Within an
hour after state-controlled Malaysia Airlines confirmed the flight was missing,
Mr Najib called for an immediate investigation and began working the phones
with world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin.
He also
dispatched top officials to press for access to the rebel-held Ukraine crash
site, and demanded justice for those responsible.
"MH370
was a much more complicated situation... but regardless, the leadership has
moved with much more confidence (on MH17)," said Ibrahim Suffian, head of
Merdeka Center, Malaysia's top polling organisation.
"They
have been able to achieve some concrete outcomes and I think at least in
Malaysia, that is already being portrayed very positively."
Following mounting global pressure for access to the rebel-held crash site and protection of key evidence, Mr Najib early Tuesday announced a deal with a top rebel leader in eastern Ukraine.
Remains of
victims are to be handed over to the Netherlands - which had 192 people aboard
- and the plane's black box given to Malaysia.
In MH370,
Najib, 60, was criticised by many at home for staying largely on the sidelines
as the drama unfolded.
Appearing
like deer in the headlights, underlings were left to face world outrage over
the crisis, often feeding the response with a chaotic and contradictory message.
Malaysia's
global reputation plummeted.
For many
Malaysians, the episode was symptomatic of a corruption-plagued
ethnic-Malay-dominated regime unaccustomed to having to answer for itself.
Mr Najib's
Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition has held an iron grip on power
since independence in 1957 but is rapidly losing support to a multi-racial
opposition, which pounced on MH370's miscues.
But Mr
Najib's more proactive approach on MH17 - which had 44 Malaysians among its
dead - and the successful breakthrough have won him praise.
"There
are still so many things wrong with this government and Malaysia Airlines is a
mess, but they seem to have handled this much better. It may help make people
forget about all the problems in MH370," said Kevin Silva, a Malaysian
schoolteacher.
Mr Najib's
Facebook page and Twitter feeds had filled with supportive comments even before
the deal, and plaudits have come even from bitter domestic political foes.
Lim Kit
Siang, a top opposition figure and frequent harsh critic of Mr Najib, said the
premier should be "commended" on the MH17 deal.
"Malaysians
must remain united as one people on the MH17 disaster, continuing to give full
backing to the Prime Minister... and the government, as they press for
justice," Mr Lim said in a statement.
A longtime
member of the non-aligned movement, Malaysia has minimal trade with Russia or
other leverage.
Mr Najib
faced some criticism for pulling his punches on MH17 despite world outrage as
rebels restricted access to the crash and carted away key evidence, raising
fears of a cover-up.
While
leaders such as US President Barack Obama and British premier David Cameron
laid ultimate blame for the tragedy on Russian support for the rebels, Mr Najib
refused to name names.
Mr Najib
explained that approach in his televised address early Tuesday.
"In
recent days, there were times I wanted to give greater voice to the anger and
grief that the Malaysian people feel. And that I feel," he said.
"But
sometimes, we must work quietly in the service of a better outcome."
The crash site of MH17 near the village of Grabovo, eastern Ukraine.
- This article was taken from straitstimes
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