Remains Of MH17 Crash Victims Must Be Treated With Respect - BN Youth

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth and several non-governmental organisations here Tuesday urged the Ukrainian government to see that the remains of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash victims be treated with respect. Its deputy chief, Khairul Azwan Harun said the call was made following claims that the victims' bodies were simply dragged out of the wreckage and debris and allowed to decompose at the crash site. "We are deeply concerned over reports of how the bodies of the deceased had been treated in an undignified manner, and looting and scavenging of the victims' possessions also took place," he said in a memorandum titled "Demanding Justice for MH17" handed to the Ukraine embassy, here, Tuesday. Khairul Azwan (third from left) also urged the Ukraine government to give equal treatment to Malaysia with the other countries with regard to the investigation into the MH17 crash incident. "We want an explanation from the Ukraine government's statement recently that the Dutch government would be leading the investigation as most of the victims are from the Netherlands. "We wish to stress here that Malaysia feels the same pain as the other affected countries do, and we (Malaysia) hope to play a leading role in the investigation as the aircraft belongs to Malaysia," he said. Earlier, about 200 BN component parties' Youth members and members of several NGOs were present at the handing of the memorandum to the Ukraine embassy. They gathered there for almost two hours, carrying banners with words like "We Mourn for MH17" and "The Terrorists Must Be Brought to Justice". MH17, carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members, crashed in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine while on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17. It is believed to have been shot down by a surface-to-air missile, but so far no group has claimed responsibility for the tragic incident. (picture) Peaceful gathering in front of the Malaysian hajj pilgrims fund board (Tabung Haji) building here to show solidarity of "Justice 4 MH17" for Malaysia, passengers and crew on board MAS Flight MH17. (photoBERNAMA)