Funeral scuffle: MAS denies disclosing any info on service arrangements

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has denied publishing any personal details about burial plans as claimed by a next-of-kin recently, following the alleged assault of a Press photographer during the final rites of three MH17 victims.

In a statement to Astro AWANI on Wednesday, the airline said information about the funeral mostly likely came from third parties which were then divulged to the media.

"In no circumstances will Malaysia Airlines disclose any specific information with regard to the movement of remains or next-of-kin as well as funeral arrangements to the media.

"Any such information available in the media, or obtained by them, was not released by Malaysia Airlines and would most likely be sourced from third parties," the statement said.

MAS also said the company has the capacity to advise the media to not disclose any details on the MH17 passengers or crew, but it is the prerogative of the editors to publish such information.

It added that the airline has always assured family members of the passengers and crew of MH17 that the privacy on the details of the remains of their loved ones is of high importance and protected by MAS.

Yesterday, a photographer with the New Straits Times (NST) was allegedly assaulted while covering the final rites for three MH17 victims.

A family member of Paul Goes, his wife Subashni Jretnam and daughter Kaela Maya Jay Goes, suddenly attacked photographers and cameramen covering the ceremony where the bodies were being carried out of the hearse at Nirvana Memorial Park, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur.

The man tried to punch several media personnel covering the event and hit NST photographer Mohd Aizuddin Akmal Saad. He suffered injuries on his face and nose.

Mohd Aizuddin then lodged a police report at the Sungai Besi police station after seeking treatment at a nearby clinic.

The situation returned to normal after media personnel were ordered to leave and go into the memorial centre.

The remains were brought to the Nirvana Memorial park after their bodies were received at the Bunga Raya Complex, KLIA earlier in the morning.

On the same day, a man who goes by the name of Logan Retnam on his Facebook page and believed to be Shuba Jaya’s family member, also claimed in a posting that the family was not given privacy to mourn their loss.

He claimed that MAS had published personal details about the burial plans despite being told to protect their privacy.

He also said Nirvana had failed to disallow the media from entering despite the family having requested for privacy and that the media practitioners had been rude by failing to respect the family’s last wishes.

In a recent development, the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police would launch an investigation and take action against the man who made the assault.

However, he also reminded the media not to pressure the victims' next-of-kin to the extent of causing disharmony.

He said the Press must understand the situation of the families who were still in a state of trauma as a result of the loss of their loved ones in the tragedy.