[Kharon]

Josh, welcome and thank you for an informative, balanced first post; most illuminating.  

I believe two scenarios are possible. Shah was furious about Anwar and devastated by his family situation. He took the plane for a long trip to nowhere.

Another possibility is that he called KL departure, asked to be patched into the PM's office and demanded, for example, that the PM step down and that Anwar be freed.

I believe we have not seen, up until now a clear suggestion of motive for a ‘crew hi-jack’.  The construct is certainly food for thought, however, the inferences which may be drawn from either proposed scenario leave some big questions unanswered. That the Captain was furious, upset and off balance is acceptable – that he may have planned some form of revenge or ‘threat plan’ is also believable; BUT we must consider, on balance of probability, did he execute the plan?  

Fury, angry mutterings, crazy plots, I can understand; but to parlay that into the cold blooded murder of passengers and crew is a large leap for purely ‘personal’ or unstated political reasons. Had the reasons for alleged hi-jack been made public – early – would that not be a better way to bring pressure to bear? Or; would keeping everyone alive not be an even better bargaining chip.  Killing the aircraft mysteriously served no purpose and achieve nothing.

If the man had a consistent history of rebellion against the government, even covert, the Malaysian government under hi-jack pressure would have screamed loud and long for help, promises would have been made, anything to get the aircraft back to earth where the situation could be resolved.  One call to any news agency would have provided instant, world wide coverage and attention to any demands made.  To execute the threat and kill all on board, for no conceivable benefit to either himself, his family or his ‘ cause’; for me, falls short of a satisfactory explanation.  

Toot toot.