MARCH 30 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, we are proud of you and I am proud of all Malaysians especially family and friends of those in flight MH370.

Your calm and composed demeanour and professionalism in handling the matter is astounding. Many other Malaysian leaders should try to emulate this.  

Yes, this episode is unprecedented. And the way Malaysians handled the situation is exemplary. We saw how others reacted through emotions and honestly I could put Malaysians as equal to the Japanese after the destruction of Hiroshima.

We saw how the superpower destroyed their city but they reacted positively and rebuild the city in about seven years and later to be a developed nation.

Can MH370 be a catalyst to help us be a well-rounded developed nation? 

Yes. We have demonstrated our ability to coordinate more than two dozen countries including developed nations in the search and rescue (SAR) mission.

We have local experts assisting in the SAR.

Our perseverance was shown.

We know our capabilities and what we have and what we lack.  In short, having reacted positively and understanding our strengths and shortcomings we as a nation have learned valuable lessons from it. This is an experience that will impart beneficial knowledge and wisdom.

Our positive attitude and perseverance will help us in not only being a high income nation but a well-rounded developed nation. This can happen if all of us irrespective of the political divide put our minds together to build a better nation.

For this to happen, I believe politicians and the local media plays a very important role. We should be seen as a nation moving together towards developed nation and not to cast negativity towards those with opposing views.

And for those opposing, it helps if solutions are suggested. We saw how the foreign especially western media tried to portray us in a bad light and in a state of denial.

Also, we should not be under pressure to make statements that have far reaching effects like the flight ended in the Indian Ocean when there is still nothing conclusive.

To all those in flight MH370 where ever you are, thank you for teaching us valuable lessons and our prayers for you have never stopped. To their family and friends, may God give you the patience and strength to face whatever eventualities.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.