Wife accepts MH17 co-pilot's fate

The wife of the late Captain Eugene Choo Jin Leong, Ivy Loi, 42, said she accepted what happened to her husband.

She said life had to go on for the sake of their children and family.

"Although I am sad at what had befallen my husband, I accept the fact and have to be patient because life has to go on. Nevertheless, I cannot forget my husband as he was a good man."

Loi told this to reporters after a visit by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to pay his last respects on her late husband at the family home in Sri Carcosa, Seremban 2 here on Wednesday.

The menteri besar who arrived at 1.10pm, spent about 15 minutes with Loi and the other family members.

Choo's ashes arrived at the residence Tuesday morning and will be brought to the Xiao En Memorial Park in Nilai today.

Choo was the MH17 co-pilot when the Malaysian Airlines (MAS) plane crashed in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine on July 17. It is believed to have been shot down by a missile over the troubled country.

His ashes and the remains of nine other victims arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Amsterdam on Tuesday.

Loi, a former air stewardess, said she was thankful to the government and MAS for bringing home the ashes of her late husband.

On her two sons, Melvin Choo, 13, and Scott Choo, 10, she said she would ensure they would become successful in life.

"I have no objection if my two sons want to be pilots like their father," she said.

Meanwhile, Melvin and Scott said their ambition was indeed to become pilots when they grow up.

"We are interested in aeroplanes and we want to continue our father's career," Melvin said.

They regard their father as a loving man who was clever at handling their antics.

Melvin is a Form One student at SK St Paul while his brother goes to SJK (C) Pei Hua, both here.

Flight MH17 with 298 passengers and crew members was heading for Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when the tragedy happened.