At least 21 bodies will be brought back - Wee Ka Siong

At least 21 bodies of Malaysians who were on board of the ill-fated MH17 will be brought back from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on August 21.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, in a statement said the bodies, 18 in caskets and three cremated remains in urns, will exceed the projected 16.

The Dutch government also told the Malaysian embassy in the Netherlands and Malaysia Airlines that two more bodies of Malaysian victims have been identified as of today.

“We will put in more effort and are in the process of bringing more bodies of Malaysian victims for the flight home. As a matter of fact, we are working hard to obtain the green light for one more body to be included in the first flight.

“We understand the procedures and regulations here in the Netherlands are rigorous and we need to respect that. We are hopeful that the documentation processing for the handling of the other Malaysian victims by the Dutch authorities would proceed smoothly,” Wee said.

He said he will also meet with Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to discuss the documentation as well as other affairs related to the victims.

On the sending off for the bodies from the funeral home to the airport on Aug 21, Wee said the process will be done in a low-key manner.

“The bodies will be transported to the airport from the funeral home and depart for Malaysia at noon via a special flight.

“The next-of-kin of the victims will depart on an earlier flight and arrive in Kuala Lumpur around two hours before the bodies. This is to enable them to receive the bodies of their loved ones there,” he said.