KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s blood ties with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak came under scrutiny from foreign media today, with suggestions the defence minister may be “protected” from any potential fallout over the missing Malaysia Airlines jet.

Hishammuddin, who is also acting transport minister, has come in for much heat over Malaysia’s handling of the passenger plane, yet to be found 10 days after it vanished from radar and with an ever-broadening search area, now swollen to the size of Australia and covering both sides of the Equator.

“Yes, I can confirm that Najib is my cousin, and I don’t know from what I might have to be protected from,” he told reporters at the Sama-Sama Hotel in Sepang, when asked about his link to the prime minister and if he was being “protected” from criticism.

The federal government’s delayed response to inquiries and communication missteps of its various investigating agencies have been highly criticised by international news providers.

China’s state-run media Xinhua had lashed out at Malaysia and its national carrier over the inept handling of the missing passenger jet, calling for a swifter response effort and tightened airport security.

After a week’s worth of scathing editorials demanding greater openness from Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia Airlines, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang asked Najib to provide details about the missing flight “in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner”.

On March 8, the Beijing-bound red-eye flight with 227 passengers and 12 crew disappeared from the radar screen at 1.30am, about 40 minutes after departing from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).