Nation to observe minute's silence in honour of MH17 tragedy victims - Ahmad Shabery

The nation is to observe a minute's silence anytime between 10.45 am and 11.15 am on Friday in honour of the victims of the Flight MH17 tragedy as the remains of several Malaysian victims arrive at the KL

International Airport in Sepang.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the silence would be observed by all the people present at the Bunga Raya Complex at KLIA, where the ceremony to receive the remains will take place, as well as people in their homes and offices and in schools.

People in moving vehicles are advised to stop their vehicles to observe the silence, he told a press conference held to explain the ceremony to receive the remains of the Malaysian victims of the tragedy.

The press conference was held along with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari.

Ahmad Shabery said: "We will inform over the radio and television the exact time to observe the minute's silence. Muslims can recite the Al-Fatihah while non-Muslims can observe the silence in accordance with their respective religious beliefs."

The minister said members of the public who wish to attend the ceremony at KLIA would have to be outside the Bunga Raya Complex compound due to limited space and security reasons.

He also said that the ministry had arranged special vantage points for the media at several places, namely KLIA, KLIA2, the Sultan Abdul Samad building in Kuala Lumpur, the Penang Bridge and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Baharu.

"We will also let the media know the vantage points in Sabah and Sarawak. It will show the world that Malaysians are united in their grief for the victims of the MH17 tragedy," he said.

Ahmad Shabery reminded all radio and television stations to adhere to the guidelines set by the ministry for their broadcast on Friday.

"We have requested all radio and television stations to broadcast the event and not air entertainment programmes. They have to also observe the minute's silence.

"We will also discuss with them the form of template to be used by all media, whether they are digital, satellite, cable or ordinary," he said.

Ahmad Shabery advised cinema operators to interrupt the screening of films for a minute's silence.