I understand the frustrations and the ridicule of the readers here towards the Malaysian Airlines and the Malaysian Govt in the handling of the whole MH370 incident. However, I noticed that the comments here at The Real Singapore (TRS) Facebook page and website are turning into cheap potshots and hatred towards a particular ethnic group, the Malays.
Many comments here seemed to portray that the Malays are useless, lazy and incompetent in doing anything, let alone flying an airplane, running of an international airline, and to running the government. I can see that mostly the Chinese (Malaysian or otherwise) readers here are indirectly show their anger here towards the Malays openly.
Yes, a quick Google search shows that MAS is not in the Top 10 or even 20 Safest Airlines in the world. But neither is SIA nor China Eastern Airlines or China Airlines for that matter. MAS is also not amongst the worst. So, you can't say that the loss of MH370 is due to the incompetence of the Malays.
Next, the majority Malay government is accused of delaying or withholding information about the progress and investigation of the ill-fated flight. What I can say on this is that the search for the plane is undertaken by many parties; from the Americans, Chinese, British, Australian and other countries and organizations. This is the first time that the Malaysian govt had to coordinate such a large scale operation. To put it simply, these Malay leaders do not have the experience of dealing with such an incident unlike the Americans, British and Chinese who have vast experience dealing with multiple air crashes before.
In the latest development, it was with the help of the Inmarsat and the British Air Accident Authority that provided the Malaysian authorities with the satellite information on the plane's possible location. Yet the Malaysian govt is accused of withholding and delaying information. Why was there no criticism towards the other parties in releasing the information days later?
Next, the ability of the Malay pilots and qualifications are being brought to question. For the majority of the readers in Singapore, it’s hard to believe that those two men are given the trust to the helm of the airplane control column. This is because Malays with such abilities, qualifications and experience are unheard of in Singapore. I wonder why? Yes, those 2 men are qualified pilots and received training to operate the aircraft just as with other pilots of other ethnic origins. They are no different from other certified B777 certified pilots all over the world!
I can understand that the majority ethnic Chinese in Malaysia see this incident as the incompetence of the current Malay government, belittle the achievements of the Malay and would like to take this opportunity to gain more political ground in Malaysia. Such is the current political landscape in Malaysia. But, I am quite surprised that the Chinese Singaporeans here feel the same way too.
Then perhaps, Singapore too is unconsciously still divided between racial/ethnic lines. Sit back, look around and observe.. Soon, you will realize what I’ve said is not too far from the truth!
Lee Suan
TRS Contributor
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