Malaysian MH17 - Nederlands statsminister i Kuala Lumpur

MH17: Malaysia to play major role in investigation: Najib

BY KOI KYE LEE AND ROZANNA LATIFF - 5 NOVEMBER 2014 @ 1:42 PM

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is expected to play a major role in the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

The prime minister said Malaysia will work closely with the Netherlands and Australia to fulfil their three common objectives - namely, recovering the remains and personal belongings of those on board the flight, conducting a thorough investigation and bringing those responsible for the crash to justice.

"Malaysia has been welcomed to play a big part in the investigation, and we hope that this will become more evident in the coming days," he said, during a joint press conference with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.

Rutte is here on a one-day official visit to discuss the ongoing probe into the MH17 tragedy, before making his way to Australia.

He said the effort to seek justice for the aircraft's downing was unlikely to proceed to the International Criminal Court (ICC)

"We do not believe the ICC is the most suitable (court).

"It will depend on the investigation which will be carried out by the Dutch Transport Safety Board.

"The public prosecutors will then follow up before we decide on which tribunal the case will proceed," he said.

Rutte took the opportunity to extend his sympathies to the families of the passengers on flight MH370, which disappeared in March.

"We hope that the next phase of search (for the aircraft) will bring closure to the families."

The premier, who flew in to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines flight MH19, said there was no specific reason for choosing the flight other than the fact that it was the fastest journey between the Netherlands and Malaysia.

"Obviously, there is a special meaning as MH19 flies the same route and schedule as MH17 did, but it was only logical to take this flight since it is the best connection between Amsterdam and KL."

Flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft is believed to have been shot down over the troubled country.

There were 193 Dutch nationals and 44 Malaysians among the passengers on board.