Rural and Regional Development Ministry to manage remains of MH17 victims in states

The rural and regional development ministry will coordinate the management of the remains of victims of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 tragedy in the respective states.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, however, said it depended on where the families had requested the remains to be sent.

"For example, two families in Sarawak, namely in Bintulu and Kuching want the remains to be sent there. So, we will do this upon arrival at the KL International Airport (KLIA).

"If the non-Muslims want their own personal ceremony and want the remains to be sent to the Nirvana Memorial Park, we will carry out their request, as well," he said.

He said this after chairing a ministry-level meeting on the management of the remains of Malaysian victims of the Flight MH17 tragedy here today.

Mohd Shafie said a tribute ceremony like the one in KLIA, would be given, depending on the request of the families.

"What's important is respecting the needs and wants of the families," he added.

Among the states expected to receive the remains of Flight MH17 victims are Sarawak, Penang and Selangor, while those from Putrajaya and Cyberjaya will have a ceremony at the KLIA, he said.

At the meeting today, Mohd Shafie said he had directed local leaders to be ready to receive the remains, with the involvement of family members.

Flight MH17 was on its way to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it crashed in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine near the Russian border on July 17.

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft, which was carrying 298 passengers and crew, including 43 Malaysians, was believed to have been shot down by Ukranian separatists.