fOLLOWING the MAS Boeing 777 disappearance , the government is beyond doubt, being taken to task. This tragedy lays bare some fundamental issues and concerns. Just for starters, a senior minister’s stern statement at the initial phase of the tragic news outbreak that there should be no “speculation”, begs mature, sensible and responsible debate. Making a fool of themselves with dont speculate threatening warnings... The Transport minister should know that in the immediate unfolding of a tragedy that has international consequences involving human lives, the social media provides a perfect launching pad and for the free and fast flow of information and ample space for show of concerns. Threats and or curtailing statements, YB menteri, are counter productive. It is a government’s moral and basic responsibility and fundamental obligation to address all breaking news with affirmative information and updates. Merely trying to shut people out with “do not speculate” warnings belongs to a bygone era where regimes and their controlled traditional media reigned supreme. Intolerant People in the Armed Forces.. Next, as the world’s citizens follow this deeply grieving tragedy involving so many lives of fellow humans from so many nations, the ticking clock reveals even more concerns that obviously point the needle of accountability and transparency at the Malaysian authorities by virtue of the fact that the aircraft was a national carrier that departed from its own home space, KLIA in Malaysia. There are people who feel they have a personal stake in the ongoing narrative because they have good friends in the armed forces. They jump up whenever criticism of the navy or whatever branch of the military are criticised. Dont you know that friends in the armed forces dont necessarily make an efficient system - submarine or no submarine. We have to recognise shortcomings and lack of action when we see it - friend or no friend. The role and efficiency of the military and security services cannot be separated based on incidents. If serious intrusions into Sabah had occurred at least twice, why should the rakyat cast doubt on the reliability of the navy when it comes to the MH370 incident. The argument that Sabah intrusions is another forum and cannot be brought here is hogwash. The rakyat remembers what happened recently and will make comparisons of how the same military performed. They have a point. They might not have friends in that branch of military, but they have their perceptions. The real lack of so-called maturity comes from people who are enveloped in their own cocoon , accept only nice things being said about their friends and to the entities they belong to and refuse to see the unsavoury side. Remember, todays social media are an outlet of views where eventually they become the agents of change. The real immature people are those who try to run away from reality - title or no title. I wonder why the most vital data so far from the news rounds are from foreign sources. It takes foreign governments and news sources to tell the world that there were two stolen passports registered on the fatal flight. I wonder why it was the foreign media that pointed out openly that Malaysias immigration dept should be held responsible for letting the two suspects (If they are at all) into the plane.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 06:34:52 +0000
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