French prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation on Tuesday for manslaughter following the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines MH370 plane with four French nationals on board.
Initial reports by AFP have stated that this is standard practice since French nationals were on of the ill-fated plane.
Damien Syed, the French embassy in Malaysia’s Head of Press Section, confirms the report and said that it is merely a preliminary enquiry.
“It is very common for France to do so. Every time a citizen is killed abroad the French prosecutors will usually open a preliminary enquiry to research the French citizens,” he said.
In a phone interview with Astro AWANI, Malaysian lawyer, Datuk Mohd Haziq Pillay said that the judicial investigation is premature as there is no evidence about what happened to the mysterious disappearing flight.
“I am not against the judicial inquiry, however the French prosecutors need to realize that we are going through tough times at the moment, and they should not speculate,” he exclaimed.
He adds that for a judicial inquiry for manslaughter to be brought there are two conditions to be met- namely there needs to be death and they would need to prove gross negligence for the plane’s “crash”.
Datuk Pillay also feels that if such an inquiry continues it will bring damage to Malaysia and the role the country plays internationally.
Meanwhile, Civil law and syariah law practitioner Nizam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir, finds the judicial inquiry ridiculous.
“They would need to justify criminal evidence, however we can’t pin point where the fault lies at this juncture,” he said laughing.
“There needs to be circumstantial evidence,” he adds.
It is however still unclear in the initial AFP report who the judicial investigation will be carried out on.
Nizam said that if, there were links to to the individuals who were on the plane and the deaths of the French nationals, and if such a investigation were carried out it could possibly be against the airport officials.
The head of Interpol have said the disappearance of the plane was not likely the result of a terrorist attack.
"The more information we get, the more we are inclined to conclude it was not a terrorist incident," Ronald Noble said in the eastern French city of Lyon, where Interpol is headquartered.
Four French nationals have been identified as passengers on the ill-fated MH370 flight.
52-year-old Laurence Wattrelos and children Hadrien, 17 and Ambre, 14, were reportedly returning to Beijing where they lived after a holiday at Club Med Cherating beach resort in Pahang.
Travelling with the family was Hadrien’s girlfriend, Zhao Yan aged 18 who is also French citizen.
Shein Shanin
Wed Mar 12 2014
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.