MH17: Malaysia committed to seeking justice for victims - DPM Zahid

Malaysia will consider the option of prosecuting the party responsible for downing MH17 after completion of the investigation being conducted by the Joint Investigation Team comprising the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, Belgium and Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia remained committed in seeking justice for victims of MH17 which crashed in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border enroute to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam on July 17, 2014, killing 298 passengers and crew.

He said this to the Malaysian media after chairing the United Nations Security Council high-level open debate on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction at the UN Headquarters here Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister said the investigation at this stage was to determine the party responsible for bringing down MH17.

"We must take every aspect into account to ensure that the party responsible will not get away from facing justice," he said.

On Malaysia's stand as a UN Security Council member, on the war in Syria which has dragged on for five years, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia was concerned about the escalating military activities by parties involved in the conflict and humantarian crisis that followed the war.

"We condemn the random attacks and targeting of people and public infrastructure including medical personnel and facilities by both government and opposition forces."

He said the use of chemical weapons as well as barrel bombs as reported in the past few weeks was alarming and must be denounced by the international community.

"Malaysia also regrets ambush tactics by both sides which have caused innocent people to suffer.

"We urge all parties to allow humanitarian organisations to get through and deliver medical aid to the besieged towns in Syria," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia fully supported ongoing efforts by UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura and initiatives to meet with interested parties in Geneva at the end of August and continue the political dialogue between the opposing parties.

"We believe the conflict that had dragged for five years can only be resolved through political settlement," he said.

During its chairmanship of the UN Security Council, Malaysia would discuss the Syria issue including continuation of peace talks in Geneva and the Joint Investigation Mechanism Report to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia also viewed seriously, the exploitation and sexual violation of women and children by UN peace-keeping and international military forces posted at conflict zones.