MH17: Najib wants remains of Malaysian victims to be brought home

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants the remains of all the Malaysian victims in the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane, Flight MH17, which crashed in Ukraine to be brought back to Malaysia for burial.

He also wants the remains to be removed from the crash site in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, before the Aidilfitri celebration.

"This is our (Malaysia) stand and I have mentioned this to the families of passengers onboard MH17 during a meeting with them yesterday (Saturday) at Marriot Putrajaya.

"As a leader, there has never been an occasion as heart-breaking like what I went through yesterday. Wives losing their husbands, fathers losing their children. Imagine their feelings from such a great loss," he added.

Najib said this in his speech when closing the Kuala Lumpur-level Nur Ramadan programme organised by the Federal Territories Ministry at the Al-Najihin Mosque, Bandar Sri Permaisuri here Sunday.

The prime minister also reiterated the stand that if the investigation proved the aircraft was shot down, those responsible must be brought to book.

"We will do everything possible. We will demand the United Nations Security Council and the international community to not let this incident to pass by without any action to punish those who committed the crime on the innocent people," he added.

Forty-four Malaysians were among 298 passengers and crew onboard flight MH17 which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it went down in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.

The aircraft had left Amsterdam at 12.15pm (Netherlands time) Thursday and was to have arrived at the KL International Airport at 6.10 am (Malaysian time) Friday.

Najib, had on Friday, said the Ukrainian authorities believed that the Boeing-777 was shot down.

Meanwhile, Najib hit out at the geopolitical chess game of some countries which resulted in innocent Malaysians becoming victims.

"This is what happens when there is a conflict, whatever conflict that cannot be resolved through negotiation, with peace. In the end, who becomes the victim?" he said.

Hence, the prime minister called on Malaysians to be grateful and to have confidence in the party which could safeguard their future and maintain peace in the country.

Later, Najib joined the more than 5,500 people present for the breaking of fast and then performed Maghrib prayers at the mosque.