Opinion

Also missing on Malaysia Flight MH370: accountability

It may take years to fully understand all the mysteries surrounding the fate of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 - the airplane that has seemingly disappeared into thin air, taking its 239 passengers with it.

As officials in multiple countries attempt to sort out hair-raising details like stolen passports, malfunctioning transponders and primary radar returns, the horrifying case has started to have impacts on the Malaysian government and larger geopolitical questions.

The Malaysian government has badly mishandled this tragedy, and both its citizens and outsiders are rightfully beginning to ask questions.

The trouble began as soon as it became clear that no one source within the government was coordinating the release of information or basic steps in the investigation. In the first days after the plane disappeared, statements came from Malaysian government officials, the airline and the Malaysian military. The statements were often imprecise and contradictory, leaving everyone with an impression of chaos and disorganization around an international tragedy.

That chaos has had real impacts. Days on, we still don't know many basic things about the flight's path - or even which ocean authorities should be combing. The Chinese government is growing impatient with Malaysia (most of the passengers on board the missing plane were Chinese). On Friday, China's Foreign Ministry publicly appealed to Malaysia to release all of their data, so as to assist China in its own search for the plane. The U.S., too, has expanded its role in the international search. So far Malaysian officials have been open to America's involvement, but they must realize that it's not a positive reflection on their own competence.

The whole unfortunate saga has exposed fissures within the Asian region. Air travel is expanding faster in Asia than anywhere else in the world, but it's quite clear from this story that the region still has some critical gaps in terms of its air traffic control and safety. The region's aviation infrastructure has not expanded enough to meet the demands of a wealthier population, particularly from China, with its growing demands for air travel.

Meanwhile, more and more questions are being directed at the Malaysian government. Who is accountable for all of this? Malaysia's government is notoriously closed and patronage-based. It has a reputation for corruption. (A survey conducted by Ernst & Young of executives found that 39 percent of respondents believed that bribery or corrupt practices were widespread.) The country has been governed by the United Malays National Organization since 1957, and it's possible that this long stint of one-party rule has led not only to corruption but also a dangerous complacency.

We are seeing the results of this government right now, and it's ugly. Will Malaysian citizens make demands in response? It's something the government must be worried about - in addition to the case of a long-missing plane.