MH370: 'Malaysia handled crisis well'

PUTRAJAYA - A crisis communications expert from the United States said yesterday that the Malaysian government handled the MH370 tragedy to the best of its ability.

Ethan Becker, a speech coach and the author of Mastering Communication at Work: How to Lead, Manage and Influence, said Malaysia dealt with the missing flight with its "heart in the right place".

"At the beginning stage (of the tragedy), the communication was less effective, but it got better as Malaysian leaders became more experienced.

"It took the authorities some time to familiarise themselves with the crisis, but advance practise in dealing with the media and public made it easier to communicate," Becker told reporters at the Razak School of Government yesterday.

He said it was important for senior leaders in the public service to know how to communicate strongly during a crisis, while remaining calm and in control.