On 26 September 2026, I attended the British Graduates Association Malaysia (BGAM) Lecture “Sharing of Experience - MH370 & MH17 Tragedies” by my friend, Haji Mohd Fuad Sharuji, Former Crisis Director of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) at Menara BAC Petaling Jaya. Flight MH370 Disappearance on 08 March 2014, enroute Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Beijing. The aircraft vanished from civilian radar over the South China Sea. Military radar and satellite data later showed it made a westward U-turn before heading south toward the remote Indian Ocean. The overall casualties involved 239 people on board (227 passengers and 12 crew). Whereas, Flight MH17 on 17 July 2014, enroute Amsterdam to KUL was shot down by a Russian-controlled surface-to-air Buk missile while flying over a conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. The overall casualties involved 298 people on board (283 passengers and 15 crew).
Puad said, “Despite the largest search in aviation history spanning 120,000 square kilometers, the main wreckage of MH370 aircraft still remains unfound. Recent disclosures highlight that that the airline crisis team was initially unaware the plane turned back. Malaysian Government has extended the search until 30 June, 2027. As for MH17, it has triggered major international legal proceedings, safety reviews, and financial tracking for operations and reports. There had been 160 planes flying over the war zone that day but it was MH17 flight that was hit. A Dutch court convicted three individuals in absentia for murder in November 2022.”
In sharing his experience, Puad revealed "During major crises, leadership and senior management play a critical role in ensuring business continuity and stakeholder confidence. Effective crisis leadership demands decisiveness, resilience, and clear communication to mitigate risks and drive recovery. A strong crisis leadership includes proactive risk assessment, preparedness planning, and regular drills to enhance readiness. Crisis management requires empathy and EQ to maintain trust. Decision-making & consequence management are key, in ensuring actions to minimize disruptions and support swift recovery.
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