KUALA LUMPUR – Former Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Malaysia chief Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman has launched his book titled ‘Penerbangan Terakhir: MH370 & MH17’. It detailed his experiences and perspectives on the two infamous investigations surrounding the Malaysian Airlines tragedies that shook the world almost eight years ago.
Speaking during the KL Alternative Bookfest at Central Market earlier today, Azharuddin noted the biggest challenge in mitigating such aviation crises is managing the insights deemed fit for the public.
“The dissemination of information proved to be a barrier because, for MH370, we hardly have anything to give out as we were dealing with a missing aircraft.
“The first few days had us racing to trace it. Eventually, British satellite company Inmarsat led us to some leads on the whereabouts where the flight was traced to have ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
“It was only then that we were able to initiate search efforts based on their analysis together with Air Accidents Investigation Branch (UK),” he said.
Azharuddin highlights the complication of the search conduct to be more than just finding a needle in a haystack, “but whether or not it is the right haystack”.
While in the case of MH17, the cause of the tragedy is widely documented but the conclusion to support the facts is riddled with geopolitics even when there was evidence to assist heavily with investigations.
“The worst part about the MH17 flight was witnessing documented reports of the crash site and wreckage after it got shot down. Bear in mind, this was not long after MH370 went missing,” said the former DCA chief.
“I want people to know more with regards to the experience and obstacles in which we (Malaysia) were the first to respond and send a team to gain access to the black box,” he added, insisting the public get a hold of his 244-page tell-all to know more.
“My perspective of the two cases is all carefully written in the book, and I would not want to stray away from what has already been detailed in it.
On whether the present conflict between Russia and Ukraine would affect proceedings and accountability for the fatal MH17 flight, Azharuddin said: “The technical and criminal investigation has already been done and over with, where the court trial is still ongoing.
“I would refrain from providing any suppositions. It’s important to note that we can’t use what is happening today to support the tragedy then – even if there seems to be some link when looking at the tension between the two nations.
Again, I would not want to give any personal opinion on that because it is more geopolitical than anything,” he added. – The Vibes, February 27, 2022
*‘Penerbangan Terakhir: MH370 & MH17’ published by Patriots Publishing and written by Datuk Sri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman is priced at RM38. It's available at www.thepatriots.store as well as Kinokuniya, SMO Bookstore (Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu), MPH Bookstore (Selangor/KL) and Hasani Bookstore (Kedah/Pulau Pinang) from March onwards. The English version of the title is set to be released in June.
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