MH17: Najib's 'silent diplomatic' approach worked, says NYT

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

"The backdrop for the negotiations was a slowly growing criticism within Malaysia, including by some in the political opposition, that Mr Najib did not appear to be more publicly critical of the separatists or Russia," NYT said.

It said the agreement with the separatists followed four days of sometimes frenetic diplomacy in which a series of senior Malaysian officials, including the country’s foreign minister and transport minister, rushed to Kiev, Moscow and Amsterdam to broker a deal.