MH17: Remains of several more Malaysians identified

"After being verified by the Dutch, the remains will be repatriated. In Amsterdam, the remains of several more victims had earlier, not been confirmed after undergoing the identification process.

"In the next few days, their names will be verified by the Dutch ... those confirmed Malaysians will be sent home," he told reporters after opening the Padang Terap Umno division delegates' meeting at the Kuala Nerang Mara College here today.

He said there were still remains of some Malaysians at the site where Flight MH17 was believed to have been shot down in eastern Ukraine and the Malaysian Government was working with the Ukrainian authorities and separatists to enter the site.

He said the step-mother of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was among the airliner's victims who had yet to be identified.

Hishammuddin said he would be going to the crash site after negotiating with both parties (Ukrainian Government and separatists) with Australian and the Netherlands authorities.

"We only want justice and transparency in the investigation, and want our loved ones to be returned to our homeland," he added.

The minister said the remains of victims still in Amsterdam were those that had already been listed, and not new remains taken from the crash site.

"Going to the site is difficult. We cannot enter by ourselves and it involves both the Netherlands and Australia. We must negotiate with the parties in control of the areas," he noted.

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

Apart from 43 Malaysian passengers and crew members, the jetliner was also carrying citizens from Holland, Australia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Philippines, Canada and New Zealand.