Malaysia PM: MH17 probe has clearer picture of culprit

By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR

A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing last year's downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has a clearer picture of the real cause behind the shooting down of the plane, according to Malaysia's prime minister.

A report in The Star on Sunday quoted Najib Razak as saying that the probe - comprised of investigative experts from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine - is expected to continue until the end of this year for a potential conclusion.

“They are scrutinising and investigating all possible scenarios in detail,” he told some 1,000 people, comprising of next-of-kin, foreign dignitaries and government officials, gathered at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport for the MH17 memorial service held Saturday.

Razak said the day the Kuala Lumpur-bound Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 was shot down while flying from Amsterdam on July 17, 2014 will never be forgotten by Malaysians.

All 298 passengers on board, including 28 Malaysians and 15 crewmembers, died from the tragedy.

He said the investigations would ensure those responsible would face justice, adding that all possible ways to prosecute those responsible were being considered.

“We are not pointing fingers at anyone until there is clear evidence, but we condemn this heartless, uncivilised, violent and irresponsible action,” he said.

As for the technical investigations, the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) was expected to publish its final report in early October.

Razak also stressed that Malaysia remains firm and was co-operating in both criminal and technical investigations to get to the truth for the sake of families and friends of victims.