KUCHING: The MH17 tragedy, which claims the lives of at least seven Sarawakians including a family of six when the plane crashed in east Ukraine, is indeed a tragedy too close to home, says state PKR chairman Baru Bian.
He said the shock and disbelief was felt by the party leaders upon learning that one of the victims, Ariza Ghazalee, was a cousin of state PKR deputy chairman Zulrusdi Hol.
Ariza was also a close friend and classmate of Krian assemblyman Ali Biju, at Kolej Abdillah (Kuching) in 1985 when they were studying in Form 5.
Ariza, her husband Tambi Jiee and their four children are believed to have perished in the tragedy.
Another Sarawakian in the ill-fated flight was an offshore worker – Meling Mula – from Sg Plan, Bintulu.
On a personal note, Baru said the news of the crash was particularly shocking as he was in a KLM plane two days earlier, flying the same route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after attending a series of meetings in the European Union.
“I remember feeling very uncomfortable when I noticed on the flight path monitor that we were flying over Ukraine and was on edge until we left Ukrainian airspace,” he said.
He concurred with PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who described the alleged shooting of MH17 was an act of mass murder.
“We join the international community’s condemnation of this atrocity. So many lives have been lost, families shattered and hearts broken.
“We call upon Malaysian and the international authorities to ensure that those responsible be made to answer for this criminal act against innocent citizens of the world.
“If it is indeed true that Ukrainian rebels had shot down the plane, the full weight of international law must be brought down on them,” he said.
He added PKR Sarawak offered their deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the passengers and crew of MH17, and pray that they would find the strength to face the painful days ahead.
“We pray that the souls of those whose lives were so cruelly cut short, will rest in peace.”