MALAYSIA: Malaysia Determined To See Justice done Over MH17

Malaysia is determined to ensure that justice prevails and will continue urging the international community to take decisive action and find those responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic) also called on all countries to abide by the protocols involved in the reporting process to ensure there were no impediments to seeking justice for the victims' next-of-kin.

"While the journey to find justice is not easy, Malaysia remains committed in the search for answers.

"To the next-of-kin, I reiterate that you are not alone in their quest for answers," he told reporters after a memorial to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy at the Bunga Raya Complex in KLIA on Saturday.

Liow said it was encouraging to see that criminal and technical investigations had progressed after the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) - which is leading the technical investigation - provided all countries involved with a draft of the final report in June.

"Malaysia has set up a team to review the technical report and the DSB is expected to release the official report in October.

"Malaysia is also part of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and we remain single-minded in urging the international community to take decisive action to persecute those responsible for this tragedy," he added.

Liow pointed out that Malaysia was pressing for an international tribunal to be set up under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for this purpose.

"Malaysia recently presented a draft resolution to the UNSC on setting up the tribunal, a move fully supported by the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and Ukraine," he said.

Malaysia, which is part of the 15-member council, distributed the draft resolution earlier this week.

Asked if Russia would use their veto power and block the UNSC resolution, Liow said it was best not to prejudge and allow the resolution to be tabled first.

"We are also part of the JIT and investigation extend beyond this year. We will look in detail at the technical report, and find out who the culprits were to ensure that these 'trigger-happy' criminals are brought to justice," he said.

He added that the next-of-kin would be duly informed at the right time about the findings of the investigation.

On the compensation payout to families of the victims, MAS chief executive officer Christoph Mueller said the figure to be paid could not be disclosed.

"We (MAS) are satisfied with the claims made by them. We are still in the midst of processing the claims due to some tax issues. As we speak, compensation is being paid to some," he said.

Mueller said MAS had made flight arrangements for some 85 family members to attend a remembrance ceremony in Canberra, Australia and Nieuwegein, Netherlands on July 17.

On July 17 last year, 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. - Bernama