SEPANG, Malaysia — Malaysia’s governing elite has clung to power without interruption since independence from Britain almost six decades ago through a combination of tight control of information, intimidation of the opposition and, until recently, robust economic growth.
But worldwide bafflement at the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has challenged the country’s paternalistic political culture and exposed its coddled leaders to the withering judgments of critics from around the world.
“The world is finally feeling the frustration that we’ve been experiencing for years,” said Lee Ee May, a management consultant and a former aide to a Malaysian opposition politician.
Ms. Lee said she was embarrassed when the country’s defense minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, the scion of a powerful political family, rejected a reporter’s assertion on Wednesday that the search for the airplane had been disordered.
“It’s only confusion if you want it to be seen to be confusion,” Mr. Hishammuddin said at a news conference that unfolded before an international audience.
"Are you confused?"
"Take it from me..."
NYT: Malaysian leaders face rare criticisms from outside
Bernama: Malaysia fails credibility test
USA Today: A pathetic and incompetent leader
Reuters: An even more pathetic air defence system
Boston: Missing flight reveals a third world mentality
Malay Mail: Worried about red faces caused delay in search
NYT: A routine flight until routine and flight vanishes
USA Today: Malaysia's bumbling government
Kee Thuan Chye: How much longer can Malaysian government hide?
Al Jazeera: This is not a normal government
CBS: Malaysian government has serious credibility issues
WA Today: Never ending mistakes, backdowns and corrections
Bangkok Post: Malaysia's response to missing jet is shameful
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