KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein left for Kiev yesterday to push through investigations into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
It was a move made even more crucial by the fact that the fragile ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels looked on the brink of collapse and the looming onset of a biting winter in a few months’ time.
Hishammuddin said his trip was not going to be an easy one as Kiev and the rebels had accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
“I am glad there is a ceasefire. However, my concern is whether it can grant a safe access for our investigation team,” he said after opening the Lembah Pantai Umno division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.
He said he was also concerned that the hostile situation in east Ukraine would make it difficult for him to convince other countries like the Netherlands and Australia to join Malaysia’s investigation team.
“That is what I have got to do over there.
“I hope we will be able to touch bases with the right people.”
Hishammuddin will be leaving for Moscow from Kiev on Wednesday and Amsterdam thereafter to meet the criminal committee that is seeking justice for MH17.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had done his best in handling the tragedy.
“In fact, what he has done is a miracle.
“I saw that in the eyes and statements of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Saturday.”
Abbott, during his one-day visit here, praised Najib for his strength and resilience in handling the MH370 and MH17 tragedies.
Hishammuddin said Umno members should treat the tragedies as an experience that would make the party stronger.
“Umno has been tested. Barisan Nasional has been tested.
“I hope these experiences would make us stronger to continue with our struggles.
“I hope this would convince the public that we are sincere and are here to stay and to serve.”
In Kuantan, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the police team, which left for Ukraine last night, included 10 divers tasked with scouring a lake at the crash site.
He said during his first trip with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and a 68-member team of policemen on July 30, none of the Malaysian divers could enter the lake as there was an exchange of fire between the Ukrainian government troops and the separatists.
“Because of that, it was not safe for our men to search the lake.
“Now, since the Ukrainain government and pro-Russian separatists had agreed to a ceasefire, we hope to search the lake for the plane’s wreckage or victims’ remains.
“Since there are still bodies yet to be found, the divers will have to search the lake.
“The crash site is a huge area, therefore, the bodies and wreckage could be anywhere,” he said after opening the Umno Kuantan division delegates’ meeting.
Zahid said the 30 investigators comprised members of VAT69 and General Operations Force.
“We need to get down to work quickly to assemble physical evidence and wrap up our investigations at the crash site as winter is expected within the next few weeks.
“When the area is covered in snow, it will jeopardise our search operations and investigations.
“The wreckage is all over the area, with some scattered almost 9km from the crash site.
“Our investigators will be responsible to gather and hand them to the international investigation team to produce them as evidence in court,” he said, adding that the evidence was crucial in identifying who was responsible for the plane’s downing.