KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak today clarified Malaysia’s cautious response amid global outrage over the apparent downing of Flight MH17 by a Russian missile, saying that discretion was often necessary to secure “a better outcome”.
In a hastily-convened press conference at his official residence in Putrajaya just after midnight, Najib also acknowledged Malaysians’ disquiet over the tragedy of the Malaysia Airlines plane crash that killed all 298 people on board.
“In recent days, there were times I wanted to give greater voice to the anger and grief that the Malaysian people feel. And that I feel.
“But sometimes, we must work quietly in the service of a better outcome,” Najib said in his prepared statement.
Malaysia’s official reaction to the crash of Flight MH17, which US officials concluded was caused by a Russian-designed air defence missile fired by Ukrainian separatists, has been muted in comparison to other countries whose nationals were among those killed in the crash.
Among the more outspoken examples is Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who has publicly and repeatedly castigated Russia over its alleged role in supplying the heavy weaponry thought to have been used to shoot down the Malaysian plane.
Abbott has called the incident “a crime” and earlier today excoriated Russia over what he described as the “shambolic” state of the crash site sitting within the territory controlled by pro-Russia Ukrainian separatists.
Najib today also expressed his sympathy to the families and next-of-kin of the people on board MH17.
“I understand that for the families, nothing can undo this damage. The lives taken cannot be given back; the dignity lost cannot be regained,” he said.
“My heart reaches out to those whose loved ones were lost on MH17.”
The Boeing 777-200ER, which was on a scheduled flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 298 passengers and crew, was shot down over Ukraine on 17 July. There were no survivors.
