12 Jul, 2015
MH17: Clearer picture on the cause, Malaysia committed to seeking the truth
SEPANG, Malaysia July 11 (NNN-Bernama) — The criminal investigation team now has a clearer picture on the probable cause of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 tragedy in Ukraine on July 17 last year, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
He said the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the Netherlands as coordinator, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine were scrutinising and investigating all possible scenarios in detail.
“A very detailed investigation is still on-going,” Najib said during a memorial to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy at the Bunga Raya Complex, KLIA here, Saturday.
On July 17 last year, the flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board, including 43 Malaysians.
The event was also attended by the victims’ next-of-kin and MAS staff.
Also present were the prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, cabinet ministers, religious leaders and foreign dignitaries.
Najib said investigation into the crash was still ongoing and it was placed under the responsibility of the police and the prosecution team who were collecting data to determine the cause and those who were responsible for the MH17 crash.
“JIT expected the investigation would be continued until end of this year, at least,” Najib said.
“However, we are not pointing fingers at anyone until there is clear evidence, but we condemned this heartless, uncivilised, violent and irresponsible action.
“We will ensure those who were responsible for the crash are punished accordingly,” he said.
Najib said Malaysia had tabled a resolution plan to the United Nations (UN) Security Council urging for an international tribunal in order to bring those responsible for shooting down flight MH17 to justice.
He said the motion for the resolution and the criminal tribunal which involved cooperation between the Malaysian government, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ukraine had been circulated to the 15 members of the UN Security Council to implement the voting process.
“We hope that with the continued calls from the Malaysian government through international platforms, we would be able to calm down the victims’ family members and friends.
“It is important for the victim’s family members to continue their lives in the best manner possible eventhough they have lost their beloved ones,” he said.
Najib said a full closure to this incident was absolutely vital so that the next-of-kin could continue with their life.
“Therefore, the ultimate action in finding who was responsible and bring them to justice must be carried out,” he said.
He urged the nations concerned to provide the fullest cooperation to gather irrefutable evidence into the incident.
Meanwhile, Najib said that the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) was expected to publish their final report on the MH17 crash incident in early October this year.
He said the DSB was responsible to handle the crash investigation based on standards and procedures under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The prime minister said the investigation team which comprised experts from Malaysia, Ukraine, United States of America, Russia, United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands had published a ‘preliminary’ report containing the initial findings on the MH17 crash in September last year.
Therefore, Najib said the final draft report on the incident and related investigation including flight routes had been circulated to the accredited representatives of every country involved in the investigation team on June 2.
“These accredited representatives have 60 days to deliver their comments on the report,” the prime minister said.
Najib also assured that Malaysia was committed to give full co-operation in the probe to get to the truth and seek justice for the sake of families and friends of the victims.
“Thus, I hope the families of the MH17 victims will not worry, until we find the answer, we will never stop looking for the truth. No matter how hard or easy it is, we will bring justice to the victims’ families and friends,” he said.
Loading ...
Liked this article? Share it!