Sitting approves motion to condemn downing of MH17

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KUALA LUMPUR: The special Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday unanimously approved the motion to condemn the inhumane action to shoot down Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 in east Ukraine that claimed 298 lives last Thursday.

Najib (right), Muhyiddin (second right) and other MPs take a moment’s silence in prayer before the special sitting. — Bernama photo

The motion saw all Members of Parliament (MPs) present expressing their sentiment unanimously to support the motion delivered by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday morning.

A total of 22 MPs, comprising 13 elected representatives from Barisan Nasional (BN) and nine from the opposition debated the motion during the sitting which convened since 10am.

Flight MH17 which was carrying 298 passengers, including 43 Malaysians, was enroute to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it crashed in Donetsk, east Ukraine on Thursday.

The Ukraine government believed the ill-fated airliner was shot down but up till now no parties had come forward to claim responsibility.

When winding up the debate on the motion, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it was the government’s stand that the crime against MH17 was a serious one and demanded redress at the international level.

“Every effort will be taken to ensure the irresponsible party is brought to justice, either at the domestic level of the respective countries concerned or at the international level,” he said.

He said the action that needed to be taken now was to conduct a thorough investigation information gathering, for which Malaysia would cooperate with the international investigating team to identify the cause of the crash and gather evidence of the crime.

The government would also set up a special team of investigators comprising the police, Civil Aviation Department and other agencies to enable the investigation to start immediately.

For the purpose of bringing the identified criminals to face justice, Muhyiddin said Malaysia would apply the Malaysian criminal laws that had Extra Territorial Criminal Application, including the Penal Code and Aviaton Offences Act 1984.

He also rejected assumptions that negotiations made with the Ukraine rebels involved conditions, when responding to Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan).

“I have feedback from the prime minister, who sits besides me here saying there is no condition. We have made it (negotiations) based on persuasion that it is important for us. So (Alexander) Borodai’s side agreed without imposing any condition,” he said.

On a query from Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Beruas) if Malaysia would remain firm to charge the guilty parties, including if it was proven the evidence pointed to the rebels led by Borodai, Muhyiddin said appropriate action would definitely be taken, regardless of whoever it was.

“We will go ahead with appropriate action. There is no forgiveness for you,” he reiterated. — Bernama