MH17: Integrity of crash site compromised - Liow

Malaysia is deeply concerned that the crash site of the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17, has not been properly secured.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the integrity of the site has been compromised, and there are indications that vital evidence has not been preserved in place.

“Interfering with the scene of the crash risks undermining the investigation itself.

“Any actions that prevent us from learning the truth about what happened to MH17 cannot be tolerated.

“Failure to stop such interference would be a betrayal of the lives that were lost," Liow told newsmen at the Sama-Sama Hotel in Sepang today.

He said Malaysia is calling for all parties to protect the integrity of the crash site, and to allow the investigation to proceed.

“We urge all those involved to respect the families and the nations who have lost their sons and daughters in this attack."

Flight MH17 was carrying 298 passengers and crew, with the majority of them Dutch nationals.

The Boeing-777 aircraft was believed to have been shot down by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine late Thursday Malaysian time.

The rebels, however, denied the allegations and instead claimed that the Ukrainian army was responsible for shooting the aircraft.