How did "the people" know the aircraft's altitude, speed and whether it was over water from the last ping? If this is true, then it's pretty evil for them to allow the current goose chasing in desert Central Asia. Good catch!
The real problem is, the don't know, the just ASSUME because it would have to cross some radar coverage. And as long you don't KNOW you better look at both places.
There are still too many loose ends and obviously too many people involved who do not have the necessary knowledge to advise the right decision. See the alleged Boeing replies regarding the transponders.