Malaysians Are Mad At The DCA For The Way They Handled The MH370 Press Conference
The way the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) conducted the press conference on Flight MH370 did not go down well with Malaysians.
By Darian Goh — 30 Jan 2015, 12:56 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
Yesterday, the DCA scheduled a press conference for a news announcement regarding Flight MH370 at 3.30PM. Members of the press and families affected by the flight gathered for the latest updates.
Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation is holding a PC at 330PM on #MH370. Streaming http://t.co/CTTMbRVsfy pic.twitter.com/NR4JqmN4c6
— andy telasai (@andytelasai) January 29, 2015
However, at 4.00PM, the press conference was called off due to "unforeseen circumstances"
Scheduled #MH370 press conference by @DCA_Malaysia has been called off due to 'unforeseen circumstances' - Info Dept Official
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) January 29, 2015
Rumours were flying that the announcement was delayed due to the presence of the next-of-kins. This was later confirmed by a press statement by the DCA stating that "it was not appropriate to continue".
Once the announcement was made, people took to social media to express their opinions. Many were in shock and disbelief at the way the DCA handled the situation.
HAHAHAHAHAHAH #MH370 pc called off “due to unforeseen circumstances” (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
— Zurairi AR (@zurairi) January 29, 2015
"@saysdotcom: The #MH370 press briefing has been called off "due to unforeseen circumstances"." What the..
— izzati cahaya (@iJattiooti) January 29, 2015
Wow. RT @saysdotcom: The #MH370 press briefing has been called off "due to unforeseen circumstances".
— Azwin Andy (@azwinandy) January 29, 2015
A lot of them were angry and disappointed due to the lack of empathy and communication with the members of the family present
@bernamadotcom @DCA_Malaysia can some1 sack DCA chief? Useless. You made msia a laughing stock.
— o_chu_bi (@o_chu_bi) January 29, 2015
@501Awani bravo DCA.so professional.this is what its call malaysian.
— ghibran aiman (@Aiman_hieraki) January 29, 2015
@malaysiakini DCA cowered off or ordered by someone above
— gabraelalkudus (@gabraelalkudus1) January 29, 2015
The guy on Awani slapping DCA for their unprofessionalism. "don't make a PC unless you are really ready". % agree with him.
— Effi Saharudin (@1Obefiend) January 29, 2015
Some even brought up the point that as being the next-of-kin, they should be in the know and there was nothing to hide from them
@andytelasai @DCA_Malaysia Why shud presence of Next-of-kin b inappropriate? Are they to say something to do Media n another to Next-of-kin?
— Jong (@Jong79323876) January 29, 2015
@bernamadotcom @DCA_Malaysia Unforseen within today?! 0_0 Tak gitahu menteri kut?! 0_0 Malulah muka Malaysia: kat mana nak letak?! #MH370 PC
— NR (@isodera) January 29, 2015
Marina Mahathir lent her voice to the fiasco, stating that the families should be informed first
Would it really be so hard to inform the families first? After all they’re the most affected. #MH370
— Marina Mahathir (@netraKL) January 29, 2015
For the family members, the DCA's flip flopping agitated them. "It's not right, we're going through a rollercoaster".
Jacquita Gonzales, the wife of inflight supervisor Patrick Gomes, said family members found out from reporters today that the DCA was planning on giving a media update, despite having tried on their own to get updates since two days ago. “It’s not right, we are going through a rollercoaster. One minute this, one minute that, our emotions are whacked right now. We don’t know what to say, what to feel. “I think for the cabin crew’s family, again a rollercoaster, what do you want to announce, please put us at peace. Tell us, don’t beat around the bush, we are bright, you know,” she told reporters.
themalaymailonline.com
Lim Wee Hoon, whose brother-in-law was on the plane, said she was upset at not being informed earlier and was told less than an hour by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) before the briefing to tune in to a live television broadcast. “For me, I received a call at 2.44pm. How do you expect me to have TV all the time?” she asked, saying she had taken emergency leave from work to listen to the news.
themalaymailonline.com
For Maira Elizabeth, whose father was the Chief Steward on the plane, she stated that she was not sure what to feel about the sudden cancellation
& it got called off. I'm not sure what to feel about it.
— Maira Elizabeth. (@Gorgxous_) January 29, 2015
Two hours later, the DCA announced that MH370 is an accident, and all onboard assumed dead. Meanwhile, in contrast to how DCA mishandled the situation, AirAsia's Tony Fernandes displayed the right characteristics during the QZ tragedy...