[xzins]

"It changed course after Kota Bharu and took a lower altitude. It made it into the Malacca Strait," the senior military officer, who has been briefed on investigations, told Reuters.

Since the Malacca Strait is a complete reversal, it is important to know what they mean by "a lower altitude". If that means it started flying on the deck, nap of the earth, then it was evasion. Evasion suggests a hijacking and a landing destination.

If they mean it went from 36000 to 34000, then that's a different story.

[Army Air Corps]

I quite agree. “Lower altitude” can mean danged near anything. We have so little to work with at this point.