Shanmugam: Slights against M'sia 'unfair'

Some of the criticism directed at Malaysia for its handling of a missing plane has been unfair, said Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.

Calling the mystery of Flight MH370 a "most unusual, bizarre situation", he said there have been many theories over what could have happened.

"I don't think enough account has been taken of the fact that there was very little to go on," he said on Friday.

Some have criticised the country's leaders for releasing information too slowly, while others said Prime Minister Najib Razak had jumped the gun when he said on Monday that the plane was lost in the Indian Ocean.

Responding to a question about Asean cooperation in the search, Mr Shanmugam said their response also had to be seen in the context of the resources these countries have. Most are at a stage of development where their budgets go to healthcare and education, he said.

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