I WAS among the many who attended the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 memorial service at Kompleks Bunga Raya of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
It was a solemn and sombre but appropriate occasion to remember the 298 people who died when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine on July 17 last year en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
It was an emotionally charged scene as the relatives of the deceased shed tears, some uncontrollably, over the loss of their loved ones. There was no better way of honouring the deceased than to have a memorial service where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could update the families on the investigations to find out who was responsible for committing this cruel act.
According to the prime minister, the Joint Investigation Team is expected to carry on its investigation till the end of the year, while the technical investigation by the Dutch Safety Board is expected to publish its final report in early October. Malaysia is committed to finding out the truth about the tragedy and is cooperating in the criminal and technical investigations.
In my brief conversation with affected families it was obvious that they appreciated the memorial to remember their loved ones but were unanimous in wanting justice to be done.
Malaysians will support the call by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in wanting those responsible for the tragedy to be brought to justice.
Malaysia’s proposal to table a resolution to the United Nations Security Council to set up an international tribunal to prosecute the responsible parties should be supported by all friendly nations, especially the 15 members of the Security Council.
My thoughts are with all the families who will continue to demand for justice, which must be taken cognisance by the international community.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye,Kuala Lumpur