How can one describe the emotions felt by the wife of Safuan Ramlan -- one of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370's passengers upon being told that her husband has died, as announced by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) last Thursday?

Jalwati Jalil said, the explanation given by DCA director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman on the status of Flight MH370 was truly disappointing.

"Why did they make the announcement without first meeting or discussing with the next-of-kin? Are we just mere bystanders who have got nothing to do with this mystery-filled incident?

"The declaration that all passengers and crew members have perished really hurt us. What are the signs? Where's the proof? It seems that some things are being kept a secret," she said when met after the news conference held by the victims' next-of-kin here last night.


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At the special Press conference last night, Flight MH370 next-of-kin requested for the DCA's declaration that all those onboard the aircraft had died, be withdrawn. - All pics by Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar

Jalwati said, what was most heart-wrenching was the announcement made by the national carrier to kick-start the compensation payment process to the next-of-kin.

"Why does everything seems like it was planned, with 'plots' happening very fast?

"I'm not crazy about the compensation, never once did it cross my mind. I just want to know where he (Safuan) is," said a distraught Jalwati.

Safuan was one of 20 personnel of Freescale Semiconductor, a Texas-based technology firm, who were on board the ill-fated flight.

Last Thursday, MAS in a statement said it will ensure all next-of-kin of the 239 passengers and crew of MH370 will be paid a fair and reasonable compensation.


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Jalwati and her daughter Damia hope the government discuss details with MH370 families before announcing anything to the world.

Jalwati, who attended last night's Press conference with daughter, seven-year-old Damia who just entered school, said the government should continue its search mission and keep in touch with the MH370 families.

"Please don't treat us like this. We had been waiting and waiting but yesterday's (Thursday) announcement killed all hope," she said.

On Thursday, the DCA had officially declared the missing Flight MH370 as an accident and all passengers were presumed dead.

The Boeing 777-200ER went missing 40 minutes after taking off from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 last year. There were a total of 50 Malaysians on board, with the majority of passengers being China nationals.