( CNN ) -- It was a moment of triumph amid a personal tragedy for Malaysian leader Najib Razak . In the early hours of Tuesday morning , he could finally stand in front of his nation with news of a deal -- the breakthrough to release MH17 's flight recorders from rebels ' hands , and , as important , to bring home the remains of the victims . Najib 's own step-grandmother was on the flight , which was shot down near the Ukrainian-Russian border last Thursday . The second wife of his grandfather was flying to Malaysia to celebrate Hari Raya -- the end of the fasting month of Ramadan . As he comforted his own family , as well as others who had lost loved ones , the Malaysian leader was working to unlock a standoff that had generated a political firestorm , said a source close to the prime minister . Where was the anger ? Hundreds of bodies lay amid wreckage in an isolated field in what was described as `` the world 's biggest crime scene . '' They were being guarded by armed separatists who were refusing to give international monitors access to the site and material evidence . Days after the crash , critics had started to question why the Malaysian leader had not made the same angry demands for answers heard from other world leaders . The Boeing 777 shot down over Ukraine was the country 's national carrier . It was carrying 298 people who trusted they 'd reach their destination . It was the second catastrophic event to hit the airline in five months , following the unprecedented disappearance of flight MH370 . And , behind the Netherlands , Malaysia lost the greatest number of citizens on flight MH17 : 43 people , including 15 crew . Where was the Malaysian leader 's condemnation ? `` It 's really important that he did not start blaming anyone before getting what he needed , '' said Wan Saiful Wan Jan , a political commentator and CEO of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs in Kuala Lumpur . `` If he had taken an aggressive stance right form the beginning we may not get the bodies and the black boxes , '' he said . Strategy of 'quiet diplomacy ' From day one , according to the source , Najib had set his own diplomatic course ; a strategy of quiet diplomacy . Working with a small group -- less than a handful -- he set about making personal contact with the self-declared leader of the Donetsk separatists , Alexander Borodai . Although Najib was in touch with the leaders of Russia , Europe , Ukraine and the United States , he was also using back channels to get to the man who controlled the crash site , the source said . `` He is a well-connected man . He was talking to people who could contact Borodai and eventually he came up with someone . And then he made personal contact , '' the source told CNN . The first contact was made last Saturday , nearly two days after MH17 was downed . From then on , the two had `` numerous '' conversations , the source said , including some on Najib 's personal mobile phone . According to the source , Malaysia was regarded by the rebel leader as a non-aligned party in what had become a war of words between Russia and the West . On top of that , the prime minister is seen by some as having a reputation as a deal-broker . He was instrumental in securing a peace deal between Islamic separatists in the southern Philippines and Manila . Were claims over-stated ? However , Najib 's claims to have brokered the deal with the pro-Russian rebel leader have been met with skepticism by some who say his role in the negotiations may be over-stated . `` I think he wanted to do the right thing there -- he calls it quiet diplomacy . He calls it a victory ... . I do n't think it can be called a success , '' said Gerhard Hoffstaedter from the University of Queensland , Australia . Hoffstaedter said many of the bodies may have been handed over to authorities -- but not all of them . In addition , he said , the handover came much later than many Muslims would have hoped . According to religious custom , bodies should be buried as soon as possible after death . The victims of MH17 had been left in a field in Ukraine for three days before their removal . It 's also unclear what Malaysia promised the rebels in order to secure the deal , Hoffstaedter added . International pressure was growing on Borodai to co-operate with investigators , but Malaysian staff who were involved with the process believe the one-on-one contact was critical , and that a non-threatening Malaysia was the perfect negotiating partner . `` This has been a huge success for Najib domestically . He is clearly more popular now , the opposition is siding with him , even his critics are praising him , '' Wan Saiful said . Prime minister under pressure . After facing international criticism of the country 's handling of the MH370 disaster , the prime minister was under pressure to prove he was able to act quickly and decisively in the case of MH17 . The relief that his diplomacy had paid off was palpable when Najib began to speak to the nation in a televised address . As he announced the deal with Borodai , he also gave the first public hint of his strategy . `` In recent days , there were times I wanted to give greater voice to the anger and grief that the Malaysian people feel . And that I feel . But sometimes , we must work quietly in the service of a better outcome , '' he said . However , Wan Saiful said the real test of Najib 's leadership will come when it 's time to speak out against the perpetrators . `` The government should be more aggressive when there 's concrete evidence . When that happens , it 's very important to work with the international community , and to form a coalition to call for the perpetrators to be punished and brought to justice . `` When that happens , it 's not really a matter of whether the PM is willing to be aggressive or not . He has to , otherwise it shows weak leadership , '' he said . Bodies en route to the Netherlands . Who are Ukraine 's pro-Russia rebels ? Unanswered questions . Danny Lin contributed to this report .
Malaysian prime minister worked contacts to start talks with rebel leader , source said . On Tuesday , Najib Razak announced MH17 bodies , flight recorders would be returned . Najib 's step-grandmother was on flight shot down near Ukrainian-Russian border last week . 298 people died in the disaster , the second for Malaysia Airlines in five months .