AMATTER that needs answering is why has the United States not been forthcoming with information it has, including its satellite images allegedly showing that the plane was shot down by a Ukrainian MiG29 air force fighter? Instead, the US and its media cohorts went on and on about MH17 being shot down by a Buk missile fired from the ground (allegedly by pro-Russian separatists).
Many people initially swallowed what was churned out by the Western media, at the behest of the US and Britain, which obviously wanted to blame Russia for having a hand in it, despite the absence of the tell-tale trail of smoke from the ground to the jetliner.
Russia had all along maintained its innocence and had even mentioned the absence of the vapour trail, which a Buk missile would have produced.
And, now, with satellite images allegedly showing without any doubt that MH17 was shot by jet-fighters belonging to the Ukrainian authorities, there is deafening silence from the US and Britain, and their media cohorts.
These culprits should be made to answer for their deliberate disinformation.
Another matter that needs answering is why are investigations into the downing being dictated to by the Dutch? Granted, Dutch nationals form the biggest number of passengers in the plane, but does this give the Dutch authorities the right to direct the investigations?
Malaysians are being included in the team only as a by-the-way through the Netherland’s good offices and sympathy when, by right, Malaysia should be at the forefront of the investigations. After all, the plane is Malaysian and the crew are all Malaysians.
Even then, the inclusion of Malaysia in the probe team was made following the visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte earlier this month when it was announced that Malaysian investigators were being included in the team set up by the Dutch government.
Why is Malaysia allowing the Dutch authorities to usurp what should have been the right of Malaysia? Can anyone imagine the Dutch relinquishing its right to Malaysia should the situation be in the reverse, with the plane being KLM’s, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, with Malaysians forming the majority of the passengers?
If not, then, why should the Dutch be allowed to dictate the ways and means of how the investigation is being carried out and who to be included in the team?
To rub salt to the wound, Malaysians were only allowed into the probe team at the last moment as if the Dutch are doing us such a big favour, following the visit here by Rutte.
Even if Malaysia did not have the expertise to carry out the probe, such expertise can surely be roped in. But, the probe itself should have been done by Malaysia, with Malaysians at the helm.
Were we too slow in making such a decision to the extent of leaving it to the Dutch to set up the team, thereby dictating how it should be handled?
Some may think this is petty. But, it is our honour that is at stake. Even the black box, the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder, when found, were only handed over to Malaysia in-passing, before being sent to Britain to be deciphered. We are not even privy to that investigation, leaving it to the British to announce what it is going to find.
Can we be certain that the findings will not be doctored to suit the West?
It is bad enough for Malaysia to face the tragedy of the downing of the plane without having to face another tragedy of the probe being dictated to us.
Rejal Arbee, Shah Alam, Selangor