I would like to speak about Blaine Alan Gibson first. He is now known world over as the man who has assiduously pursued the search for MH370 in his personal capacity. He is no relative of mine but is a friend I have known for over a year now.

His efforts have been acknowledged by the Australian Transportation Safety Board (ATSB). Potential debris finds he has made have been received by Malaysian authorities. He has his criticisms of the authorities but readily concedes that they have a critical role and prefers working through them rather than at cross purposes. He does not unquestioningly subscribe to the official narratives on MH370, but does not dismiss them altogether. He does not favour any particular explanation of what caused MH370 to disappear and instead prefers to wait for the weight of evidence to deliver its verdict. The only (nearly) a priori position he presents is one against a pilot suicide as an explanation for the disappearance of MH370. To me this one hangs in the space between possibility and probability.

His MH370 mission and the very public profile buoyed in great measure by an obliging media has brought him under sharp scrutiny. He has had his share of critics. It is quite possible that his successes have also fuelled envy and jealousy. He is not a scientist to present his understanding or his method in ways that appeal to the man of science. He is however discerning enough to follow a scientist’s lead. He is not a journalist, to present his side in crafty style, but understands the power of the word to impact minds and influence opinion. So he sees the danger ever present in reportage loaded with mischief, and therefore represents facts as he knows them, and views that he can substantiate.

I have met him twice in Kuala Lumpur this year and on both occasions felt him to be genuine in his concerns for the MH370 families’ well being, and committed to his desire to find MH370 wherever it might be. I did not sense malice, or subterfuge. I am not aware that he serves unnamed masters or that he is an actor in some grand cloak and dagger game of global proportions. If anything, I found him earnest, and somewhat unsuspecting and armour-less in the face of criticism.

In a search and investigation context already short on actionable data and overloaded with unproven theories / speculations, the search for evidence such as debris, and the truth of what really happened to MH370 is an onerous task. Further, there are many actors who may have to pay a price if the truth of what happened to MH370 is known. It is in their interest to see that attempts to pursue the search are undermined, interrupted, or given short shrift.

Amongst the many reprehensible ways to scuttle the search (for the truth), being fixated on a singular narrative to the exclusion of other possibilities, wilfully ignoring potential debris and debris sites, cutting off funds, choking off independently verifiable information, selective leaks, disinformation campaigns, manipulating public opinion by actively spreading falsehoods, maligning those asking uncomfortable questions or showing up the ineptness of the authorities, are but a few.

Blaine’s past efforts and the MH370 families most recent initiative to engage the local population in Madagascar and Mauritius is against this backdrop. It was an initiative after 1000 days of waiting for news of MH370 and nearly six months after potential debris remained uncollected in Madagascar.

Inspired by Blaine’s efforts, and incensed by the indifference of the authorities to vigorously scour the shores visited by the Western Indian Ocean, the MH370 families have just concluded an awareness campaign in Madagascar and Mauritius. I acknowledge the encouragement, help and support received from him.

Blaine’s and the families efforts were guided by the oceanographer Dr. Charita’s work on ocean currents and drift analysis. His studies suggested a number of potential debris sites along the shores, and off East Africa. Blaine’s earlier MH debris finds were based on this oceanographer’s work and it is easy to see why his recommendations were favoured this time around by the families.

While oceanographic studies may explain why debris confirmed to be from MH370 found its way towards Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa and Mauritius, for some more inclined to a sinister twist to the tale, it pays to cast doubts about how the debris reached those sites, and hint at something fishy, suspicious. It makes for a racy read, a short route to malign and deflate the energies of those invested in the search. So a Chinese relative of an MH370 passenger who was part of the team that visited Madagascar, and who chanced upon a potential debris piece on a beach was not allowed the solace of having found something that he believed was intimately connected to his missing mother. He was indignified with a slur – the authenticity of the debris and its origins were called to question with the taint of a ‘plant’ by what seem like over-eager, unrestrained and uncaring unbelievers and cynics.

Lest it be wrongly concluded that I do not value doubt, I do see the need for scepticism, questioning, and challenge as essential ingredients of an untiring quest for the truth. But I do believe that doubt must be accompanied by investment in persistent inquiry and dialogue if the truth is indeed important, and not stop with comment, sneers and smears. I don’t wish for the MH370 families to be caught in the crosshairs of feuds, ego clashes, animosities , vengefulness, attempts to cut one or the other to size, amongst those ostensibly working to uncover the truth of MH370 and find its whereabouts.

In the course of over 30 months since MH370 went missing, it has become exceedingly difficult to experience trust. They say that the terrorists need succeed only once to shake the confidence of a people in its ability to adequately protect itself. It doesn’t take much to sow the weeds of distrust. It can be debilitating (and certainly distressing to the families) when it becomes habitual or malicious. It will call for a lot more to be on the pursuit of truth.

I trust that those who truly care for the efforts of the MH370 families will be generous in acknowledging and applauding efforts by one and all, cautious in how challenges and objections are raised, and gracious towards ‘noble’ failures.

This article originally appeared on my Facebook page.