EXCLUSIVE: To win release of MH17 bodies and black boxes, Malaysia PM ‘had to act alone’

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is speaking out for the first time on the “unconventional” backdoor negotiations he led to get MH17’S black boxes and victims’ bodies out of eastern Ukraine.

“Sometimes,” he told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview that aired Wednesday, “you have to work the back channels.”

When Malaysian Prime Minister Najib came to the United Nations last year, he could never have imagined that two of his country's planes would soon suffer disasters.

“If you can imagine, he said, “just four months after MH370 disappeared, and all of a sudden, middle of the night, you know, a message comes across: Look, we've just lost a plane; it’s off the radar.”

“I was in a state of disbelief.”

When MH17 was shot down over Ukraine just over two months ago, bodies were left to rot in the fields, and the crucial black boxes – the key to the truth about what happened – remained under control of separatist rebels.

Prime Minister Najib, stung by his government's ineffectual response to the disappearance of MH370 in the Indian Ocean, had learned his lesson.

“I think there were some things that we got right with respect to the first tragedy; some things that, you know, we could have done better, especially on the communication side.”

“But this time, we realized that we needed to act and we acted differently.”

As western leaders turned up the rhetoric on Russia, it was only through Prime Minister Najib's rare personal intervention – negotiating directly with the rebels – that the bodies and black boxes were recovered.

“I met each and every one – individual families,” he said. “I was moved, I was almost in tears.”

“As the leader of the country I needed to do something; I needed to bring close to the families.”

What he decided to do, he told Amanpour, was “rather unconventional.”

“Normally as a government, you’d only deal with another government. But here is a movement, a separatist movement, and there was this impasse.”

“We couldn't retrieve the bodies; we couldn't get our hands on the black boxes; we couldn't have access to the crash site.”

“Dealing with the separatists was something just unprecedented.”

There were many even in his own government who didn’t know what he was doing.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the post by Mick Krever of CNN. 

Watch this video where Christiane Amanpour interviewed our Prime Minister yesterday.

 

A Tribute to PM Najib: One PM, One Vision, One Mission

By Datuk Huan Cheng Guan

President, Centre for Political Awareness

There is no better way to for our Prime Minister to celebrate his 61st birthday today than to rest in the satisfaction of knowing he accomplished his mission for MH17 and Malaysia. Standing tall in the hearts of many Malaysians and in media locally and internationally, Datuk Seri Najib remains humble even when accolades are being given to him. No one, not even his close aides, knew that he had been elegantly silent and steadfast in his one vision, one mission via secret calls to negotiate the release of the remains of nearly 300 victims of Flight MH17 and the two black boxes from separatist-held territory. PM Najib succeeded whilst others failed. Syabas!

A cursory glance at many headlines will reveal the deep awe and respect many leaders and writers have of our beloved Prime Minister. And there is reason for that. While others were on a finger-pointing mission, our PM soldiered on, aided by only a handful of confidants, and worked through intermediaries to negotiate with rebel leader Alexander Borodai.

The burden of responsibility was on our Prime Minister to uphold national prestige and to work for the benefit of all concerned in the MH17 tragedy. Armed with years of diplomatic negotiations in SEA such as with the government of Philippines and Myanmar, PM Najib took the bull by its horns and negotiated directly on his own with Borodai via a translator.

For sure, the journey to successfully brokering the deal must have been punctuated by heart-stopping moments but PM Najib prevailed, persisted and used all his might and strength to push through the deal.

It takes a LOT of guts, diplomacy, tact, strategy, presence of mind, steadfastness and character to have the peace of mind and heart to shine in such a delicate situation. And he did it beautifully. Today,  PM Najib is shining for all the world to see that indeed - Malaysia has a fantastic Prime Minister who is at best in the worst case scenario. When the light dimmed, he shone magnificently and the world is applauding with admiration.

His trademark of silent elegance is now an unforgettable insignia of his remarkable leadership.

Never once in his position has he ever uttered any retaliative, defensive or negative remarks in response to all the unfair criticisms or malicious rumours many Malaysians hurled at him or his beloved wife. He never gave up his love or mission for Malaysia and Malaysians but plodded on demi negara. This is the mark of true leadership.

All who have ever condemned our Prime Minister should now retract their words and behold for themselves the real PM Najib whom they were programmed or brainwashed not to see. 

Where Anwar Ibrahim could only travel overseas to various tv stations to shame Malaysia regarding MH370, PM Najib remained in Malaysia, negotiated and restored that shine to our country to bring hope to those who are hurting from the MH17 tragedy.

We have a steadfast and resilient Prime Minister, even if weighed down by all the negative comments about him or his efforts, persisted in all his visions and missions for this nation. Unwavering in his leadership and commitment to the country, he has always remained positive. This time, he took on the other side in a one-on-one tackle and emerged the champion!

The whole country can be against PM Najib but he is always there FOR this country - near or far, trifle or critical issues because he loves Malaysia and wants the best for Malaysians even if others think otherwise.

Thank you, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib, for all you have done and for showing us your mark of true leadership.You lived out your words to work quietly in the service of a better outcome.

Malaysia and Malaysians are proud of you! 

Selamat Hari Lahir, Perdana Menteri Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

MH17- PM Najib Stands Tall After Successful Deal With Rebels

What a glorious day it is for Malaysians to read the accolades from international press agencies and international media! Well done to our Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib!! We are so proud of you!! Where others talked, you walked the extra mile because you CARE! Happy Birthday! May the Almighty bless and protect you always.

Here's a beautifully written report from Reuters:

How Malaysia Brokered the Deal With Rebels for Crash Site Access

As Western leaders increasingly pointed the finger of blame at pro-Russian separatists, and Moscow itself, over the shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines plane in eastern Ukraine, the government in Kuala Lumpur said little.

Image by Maxime Zmeyev of Reuters as posted here

The reasons for that reticence - which had drawn criticism at home - became clear on Tuesday, when Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced shortly after midnight that his government had negotiated the release of the remains of nearly 300 victims of Flight MH17 from separatist-held territory.

Najib, working through intermediaries to reach rebel leader Alexander Borodai, was a key figure in brokering the deal, according to two sources in Malaysia with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The talks were kept under tight wraps, with Najib initiating the conversation and bringing only a handful of his closest confidants into the discussions.

"It was the Prime Minister’s project," one of the sources said.

CLICK HERE for more.

Malaysia Premier Brokers Deal to Recover Black Boxes

Malaysians are very proud of our dear Prime Minister and we stand tall now because of his success in the deal to recover the black boxes of MH17. Syabas, PM Najib!

We have a PM who not only has vision and commitment for this nation, but one who ACTS for the good of this nation and Malaysians.

The following article shows the immense awe and respect the international community has of our PM:

Malaysia Premier Brokers Deal to Recover Black Boxes

By KEITH BRADSHER and CHRIS BUCKLEY of The New York Times

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Prime Minister Najib Razak’s announcement that his government had reached an agreement with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, for the transfer of the bodies and so-called black boxes from Flight 17 to Malaysian representatives there, apparently achieved what pressure from far more powerful nations had failed to accomplish.

Image from NYT

Mr. Najib said in a live television broadcast to his nation early Tuesday that the agreement with Alexander Borodai, a commander of the separatist forces in Donetsk, Ukraine, called for the bodies to be taken by train to Kharkiv, a city held by the Ukrainian government. Six Malaysian representatives were to oversee the transfer of the bodies in Kharkiv to Dutch custody.

Under the agreement, the bodies and the Malaysian representatives would then be flown in a Dutch C-130 Hercules transport plane to the Netherlands for identification and repatriation of remains, Mr. Najib said.

CLICK HERE for more.

Good job, Kit Siang tells Najib

PETALING JAYA: DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang today commended Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for reaching an agreement with Ukraine separatists that allowed MH17′s black boxes to be handed over to Malaysia, the recovered bodies to be flown to Netherlands and a four-nation probe team to be given save passage to the crash site.

The bodies are to be transported from rebel held Torez by train to government-controlled Karkiv and flown to Amsterdam for forensic analysis.

Lim called on Malaysians to give Najib their full backing.

“Malaysians must remain united and continue to give full backing to Najib and the government to demand swift justice against the perpetrators of the crime,” he said.

But he noted that it was still unknown whether the pro-Russian separatists would allow an independent inquiry.

He described the shooting down of MH17 as a “crime against humanity” that was “further aggravated by the gruesome and insensitive disrespect shown to the remains of the victims as well as the looting and contamination of the crash site.”

He said Malaysians and the world community were entitled to know who shot the plane down.

FMT

Perutusan Khas Nahas MH 17 oleh YAB Perdama Menteri Malaysia

PERUTUSAN KHAS-NAHAS MH17
OLEH
YAB PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIA


Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Salam Sejahtera.


1. Semalam, hari Khamis, 17 haribulan Julai 2014, dunia secara am dan khususnya kita rakyat Malaysia, telah dikejutkan dengan tragedi tidak diduga, apabila pesawat komersial Boeing 777-222 Malaysia Airlines penerbangan MH17 dari Amsterdam ke Kuala Lumpur telah diberitakan terhempas di kawasan Timur Ukraine.

2. Penerbangan tersebut dilaporkan telah berlepas pada jam 12.15 tengahari waktu tempatan dan dijadualkan tiba di KLIA pada jam 6.10 pagi waktu Malaysia. Pesawat berkenaan membawa sejumlah 298 orang yang terdiri daripada 283 penumpang dan 15 anak kapal. 43 orang daripadanya merupakan warganegara Malaysia termasuklah 2 orang bayi.

3. Pihak Malaysian Airlines telah mengesahkan menerima makluman daripada Pusat Kawalan Trafik Udara atau ATC, Ukraine yang ia terputus hubungan dengan pesawat MH17 pada pukul 10.15 malam waktu Malaysia, kira-kira 50 kilometer dari sempadan Rusia-Ukraine.


4. Justeru, bagi pihak Kerajaan, saya menzahirkan perasaan sangat dukacita dan pilu terhadap peristiwa tragik yang menimpa para penumpang serta anak-anak kapal tersebut.

5. Jadinya, Kerajaan ingin merakamkan ucapan takziah dan belasungkawa juga simpati yang amat mendalam kepada seluruh ahli keluarga, sahabat handai dan kenalan mangsa-mangsa tragedi. Makanya, diharapkan kepada semua, agar cekalkan semangat dan tabah menempuh dugaan amat berat ini.

Rakyat Malaysia Yang Kasihi Sekalian,

6. Sekalipun pesawat MH17 itu dipercayai ditembak jatuh, namun buat masa ini, kita tidak menuding jari kepada mana-mana pihak atas perbuatan itu sehinggalah bukti benar-benar sahih dapat diabsahkan.

7. Walau apapun, kita mengutuk sekeras-kerasnya tindakan tidak berhati perut, tidak bertamadun, bersifat ganas lagi tidak bertanggungjawab itu.

8. Selanjutnya, sebagai menyatakan pendirian tegas rakyat Malaysia, maka saya selaku Perdana Menteri, memutuskan untuk memanggil sidang Parlimen tergempar bagi membentangkan usul mengutuk tindakan yang tidak berperikemanusiaan tersebut.

Rakyat Malaysia Yang Dikasihi Sekalian,

9. Hendaknya, dalam menghadapi situasi yang sangat mencabar ini, bersempena pula dengan keberkatan dan kelebihan hari-hari terakhir dalam bulan Ramadan yang mulia, saya menyeru kepada semua rakyat Malaysia, terutama bagi yang beragama Islam, tidak kira latar pendirian politik, untuk mengadakan solat hajat, terus bermunajat serta berdoa kepada Allah SWT, agar Malaysia yang tercinta ini sentiasa selamat sejahtera, dijauhi daripada bala bencana, musibah atau segala ancaman yang boleh memporak-perandakan negara.
10. Kepada rakyat Malaysia yang menganut agama-agama lain pula, digalakkan untuk mengadakan sembahyang dan upacara keagamaan mengikut kepercayaan masing-masing.

11. Dalam perkara ini, Kerajaan telah memutuskan untuk mengisytiharkan bermula pada malam ini sehingga hari Isnin, 21 Julai 2014, bendera negara dikibarkan separuh tiang di seluruh negara. Saya juga telah menyembah maklum perkara ini kepada Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

12. Perlu diketahui juga, saya difahamkan bahawa kawasan berlakunya kejadian tersebut, dikuasai serta dikawal oleh pasukan pemberontak. Oleh itu, kita sedang membuat pelbagai usaha, termasuk saluran diplomatik dan hubungan baik Malaysia dengan Negara-negara berkenaan supaya pasukan penyiasat dapat menjalankan tugasan mereka dan urusan pengurusan mangsa dapat berjalan dengan lancar.

13. Pertama, Kerajaan Malaysia menuntut agar pihak-pihak yang terbabit, mestilah menjamin dan memastikan keselamatan pasukan penyelamat sepanjang operasi ini dijalankan.

14. Kedua, Kerajaan Malaysia juga mendesak pihak-pihak berkenaan agar tidak mengganggu dan mencemari bukti-bukti ditempat kejadian supaya kerja-kerja penyiasatan dapat dilakukan secara telus dan berkesan.

15. Ketiga, jika siasatan membuktikan pesawat MH17 tersebut ditembak jatuh, Malaysia menuntut agar pihak yang bertanggungjawab dibawa terus ke muka pengadilan.

16. Ketiga-tiga tuntutan ini telah saya maklumkan hari ini, kepada Setiausaha Agong Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu, Ban Ki Moon. Saya juga telah meminta Presiden Rusia, Vladimir Putin untuk memberi segala kerjasama bagi mencapai hasrat tersebut.

17. Malah, pada petang tadi, kita telah menghantar sebuah pesawat yang membawa pasukan khas, terdiri daripada pasukan SMART, kumpulan perubatan dan Jakim ke kawasan bencana.

Rakyat Malaysia Yang dikasihi Sekalian,

18. Kesimpulannya, pada detik-detik dan saat-saat yang mencarik perasaan dan sanubari serta sungguh mencabar ini, marilah kita bersatu hati, mengukuhkan semangat perpaduan sesama kita, demi menghadapi kejadian yang menyayatkan ini. Semoga Allah memberi pertolongan-Nya kepada ikhtiar-ikhtiar kita untuk melalui semuanya.