MH17 crew member's family relieved remains finally identified

The victim's sister, Siti Nurhidayah Mahmood, 23, said the family received news that his remains had been identified.

"It has been a painful two months of waiting but at least we are relieved that my brother's remains have been found and will be coming home.

"Six of our family members left for Amsterdam last night upon receiving a call from MAS, for the process to bring his remains back," she said, when contacted by Bernama Monday.

She expressed her gratitude to the government for its efforts to ensure that the remains of all the victims including her brother were brought home to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Selangor Gerakan chairman David Ang said the family of MH17 passenger Liew Yau Chee, 38, who is also Selangor Gerakan Youth deputy chief, were still too distraught to meet the media.

"Liew's family members want to wait for the remains of his wife (Lee Kiah Yeen, whose remains have not been identified) before carrying out the funeral rites," said Ang when contacted.

Ang, who is also Gerakan treasurer general, said the party was ready to render any assistance required by Liew's family.

On Sunday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said four more Malaysian victims of MH17 were expected to be brought home soon.

He said approval had been obtained from the Dutch authorities to bring back the remains of Muhammad Afzal Tambi, 17, and Marsha Azmeena Tambi, 15, while those for Shaikh Mohd Noor and Liew were being processed.

MH17 with 283 passengers and 15 crew on board was believed to have been shot down while heading to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam on July 17, and crashed in eastern Ukraine.