Stewardess death still mystery, MAS swaps Dutch hotels

A general view of the main entrance to Schipol in Amsterdam. — Picture by Shirley de Jong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — Malaysia Airlines stewardess Chin Swee Len’s death remains a mystery but the flag carrier is not taking any chances and has changed accommodation for flight staff in Amsterdam.

The Malaysian Insider understands that flight crews flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will now stay at another hotel.

“It’s a security precaution,” a source from MAS told The Malaysian Insider.

Chin, 34, was found dead in a hotel at Schipol early Friday morning after she failed to attend a pre-flight briefing for MH17/Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight on January 14.

She had flown to the Dutch capital last Tuesday and was supposed to have returned to Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The cause of death has yet to be ascertained.

Her body was said to have been found by hotel employees.

MAS operations director Capt Azharuddin Osman said the airline was deeply saddened by the death of the cabin crew member.

“Our main concern now is to support the family where we can,” he said in a statement.

Capt Azharuddin said Chin’s family had been informed and arrangements were being made to fly them over to the Dutch capital. She leaves behind a husband and a child.

The family members left on a MAS flight from the KL International Airport last night.

“We are fully co-operating with the authorities as they are still in the process of ascertaining the cause of death,” said Capt Azharuddin.

“As the authorities shed more light on this matter, we would be in a better position to release more details. Until then, any other information on this would be pure speculation,” he said, adding that MAS was unable to disclose any further details as it was a police case.

Chin joined MAS in 1997 and the airline said her service record throughout her tenure had been exemplary.

“She is described by colleagues as disciplined, pleasant, genial and likeable,” Captain Azharuddin added