Well, the Inmarsat sats will have had 5-6 readings before the 8:11am one, and those are prolly known (hopefully) by the Malaysians. Those are one of the strongest known 'facts' that can be relied on. So the maldives sighting seemingly does not sound credible as it does not plot on the last Inmarsat semi-circle.
Another ex-777 pilot is quoted as saying that if the pilot took it to the south, and plunged into the ocean at 6-700 knots, the plane pieces will be the size of postage stamps.
The malaysians are being idiots by not formally asking the US for help.