The Netflix documentary, MH370: The Plane That Disappeared, recently shed light on the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in 2014, as it vanished without a trace during its scheduled journey from Kuala Lumpur to Malaysia.
Fuad Sharuji, crisis director for #MH370 and #MH17 on responding and recovering from the Malaysia Airlines crises pic.twitter.com/gh6K0gF8ZV
— StrategicRISK (@StrategicRISK) May 17, 2016
The production utilizes dramatic reenactments, exclusive footage, and interviews with experts and witnesses to investigate the baffling incident. Additionally, the documentary presents three theories that journalists and experts have put forward to explain what happened to the plane. Fuad Sharuji, the former Vice President of Malaysia Airlines, also shares his experience managing the shocking and sudden tragedy on the show. Consequently, it is worth exploring more about Fuad Sharuji’s background and current whereabouts.
Who is Fuad Sharuji?
Fuad Sharuji began his career with Malaysia Airlines in 1976 as a Trainee Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, even before completing his education. He later earned a degree in aircraft maintenance engineering from St Albans College, England, in 1981, and worked with various departments, including Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance. Determined to advance his career, Fuad obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from the University Tun Abdul Razak in Malaysia, and in 2005, he was appointed the Senior Manager of the Emergency Management Centre. In 2009, Malaysia Airlines promoted him to Vice President.
The doomed flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur shortly after midnight on March 8, 2014. As the plane approached the end of Malaysian airspace, everything appeared normal. Before handing over the flight to Vietnam’s air traffic control, Malaysian air traffic controllers bid the staff goodnight, and the pilot responded. However, that was the last anyone ever heard from the plane, as it suddenly disappeared from all radars. Vietnam stated that they never received any notification of the aircraft entering its airspace, and the plane vanished into thin air.
Also read | MH370: Who is aviation journalist Jeff Wise and where is he now?
As the Vice President of Malaysia Airlines at the time, Fuad Sharuji faced immense pressure to provide answers. Not only was he accountable to his staff, but also the families of the passengers and crew, who were desperate for the truth. Malaysian Airlines appointed Fuad the Crisis Director, and he immediately authorized search and rescue operations in the assumed crash zone. Despite their extensive efforts, no evidence of the plane was ever found.
Crisis manager Fuad Sharuji was in charge of Malaysia Airlines’ response on that terrible day, five years ago. One of the top-level players in the MH370 tragedy who now speaks for the first time. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/X3fBH9rDNj
— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) March 3, 2019
In July 2014, a little over two months after the MH370 disaster, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down near the Ukraine-Russia border on its route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Once again, Fuad was responsible for managing the crisis. He expressed disbelief, wondering if someone was targeting Malaysia Airlines to diminish their credibility.
Also read | Why did MH370 victims’ families think the government hid key details?
However, investigations later revealed that Russian armed forces had downed the plane with a surface-to-air missile. Unfortunately, Fuad was never able to uncover the truth behind the MH370 tragedy. Nonetheless, he played a vital role in initiating two large-scale emergency operations that deployed over 1000 personnel.
Where is Fuad Sharuji now?
Fuad Sharuji worked with Malaysia Airlines for almost 45 years. However, he eventually transitioned to the construction industry and currently serves as the General Manager of Impeccable Vintage Properties. Despite his limited presence on social media, Fuad appears to reside in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia, and is happily married. Moreover, he and his wife are proud parents and have built a fulfilling life surrounded by their loved ones. It is heartening to see Fuad’s achievements, and we wish him all the best for the future.