AG looking into possible legal action over MH17 downing, PM says

Malay Mail
by Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — The Attorney-General has been instructed to look into possible action against parties responsible for the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told Parliament today.

The Malaysian Parliament convenes today to debate a motion to condemn the downing of the jetliner believed to have been shot down by a surface-to-air missile, an incident Najib stressed violated international laws.

“The AG has been told to study this matter thoroughly and in details, to ensure any legal action to be taken by Malaysia in the future will based on international laws,” he said while reading out the motion.

Malaysia lost 43 people out of the 298 on board in the July 17 downing.

This is the first time Najib has indicated Malaysia’s plan for legal action against parties responsible for the missile attack on the plane following growing domestic calls for Putrajaya to take stern measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Legal experts believe Malaysia has a strong case but stressed it is vital to obtain evidence as to the type of missile that took down the Malaysia Airlines plane, as well as for other facts to be uncovered first.

 

The prime minister has been very careful in his dealings over the issue, and only recently revealed details of the behind-the-scenes negotiations with the self-proclaimed leader of the Donetsk-based pro-Russia rebels, Alexander Borodai, in order to secure the plane’s black boxes and the remains of the victims.

But Najib again showed firmness in his demand for justice for the victims today and reiterated his call for all parties to allow international experts to conduct a transparent and objective investigation of the incident.

“Malaysia welcomes the calls for an independent probe by international bodies and urge all parties to co-operate to ensure investigations can be completed.

“We demand and support an international investigation that is completely independent.

“The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he said.

Yesterday Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the international investigation team led by the Netherlands has decided to pass the black boxes to the United Kingdom Air Accidents Investigation Branch for forensic analysis.

The US, Australia and Ukraine are convinced rebels backed by Moscow took down the Boeing plane.

But Najib said again today that Malaysia would not point fingers until an independent investigation is complete.