MH17 and how we brokered the deal with rebels (with pics)

Malaysian quiet diplomacy at work in Kiev, Ukraine

Over buka puasa with a senior rep from the Prime Minister's Office the other night, everybody wanted to know the same thing: How did Najib Razak pull it off? Our friend said he didn't have the details. Of course the bloggers weren't convinced but later our friend whispered to me, "My boss kept it to himself and just a couple of people involved in the nego(tiations). We were only told of the deal at the very last minute. And that's the truth!" I believe him. There was no bitterness in his voice; like (most) everyone else, our friend was happy the deal was gotten.  

The Newsweek has a piece on How Malaysia Brokered the Deal with Rebels for Crash Site Access 

Apparently, their journalists don't have the details, either. What's clear is that all quarters are in awe of Malaysian and Najib Razak. 

But we are reminded by Medan Abdullah, a Malaysian working abroad, PM Najib's "quiet diplomacy" has always been "the Malaysian way (that we always knew was there)". True, that. Our roles in ending Apartheid in South Africa, the genocide in Bosia-Herzegovina, the isolation of Myanmar and, of course, our untiring on-going support for peace in Gaza and Palestine are proof that as a nation we've never been afraid to go our own way in the international scene, without having to kowtow to the so-called superpowers.  

BTW, contrary to popular belief, Najib's quiet diplomacy is not just about making or getting phone calls as these pics attest ...

President of Ukraine signing the MH17 condolence book at our embassy in Kiev

Dutch FM

With the OZ governor general

    

Our delegation with the Vice Premier of Ukraine and its Foreign Minister

Malaysian delegation with the Dutch PM

Our delegation meets Australian Foreign Minister

p.s. My friend Medan also wrote that we all need to rally around each other as Malaysians during times like this.  Save your MAS and Najib-bashing for another time. Thank you, YB Wee Choo Keong for showing the way in Thank you, Mr Prime Minister. The Rakyat Post has been doing write-ups in support of the national airline e.g. Support for MAS gets louder. And I was told a group of residents from Taman Tun Dr Ismail is planning to do a greet-and-hug MAS staff at the KLIA to lift everybody's spirit ...