Some next-of-kin of M'sian MH17 victims want meeting with ministers - Rohani

A meeting between some of the next-of-kin of Malaysian victims of the MH17 tragedy will be held soon to discuss various issues, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.

She noted that the families said in a meeting recently that they wanted to meet with her, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

"Through counselling sessions with our counsellors, the family members also voiced their complaints and asked that compensation be paid as soon as possible. I have brought this up to the Transport Ministry to be resolved," she said.

She was speaking to reporters after officiating the Launch of the Sarawak Women's Shelter Home held in conjunction with the Legal Literacy and Emotional Management Seminar here today.

Rohani said various problems faced by the family members were resolved through the counselling sessions.

"I have also brought up at the Cabinet meeting that the children of the crew and passengers should be given educational assistance as well as for health, and any other help that the government can give.

"For instance, if they go to the hospital for treatment or to schools, perhaps they can be given some extra privileges," she said.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, with 298 passengers and crew onboard, was enroute from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border on July 17, 2014. All on board perished.

The aircraft was believed to have been shot down, but until today no one has claimed responsible for the act.