Flags in Malaysia flew at half-mast after the nation’s second air tragedy in four months, as Prime Minister Najib Razak urged citizens to pray for the country to be protected from disasters and threats.
Forty-four Malaysians were among the 298 people killed when Malaysian Airline System Bhd. (MAS) Flight 17 crashed in eastern Ukraine two days ago after it was hit by what the U.S. said was a surface-to-air missile launched from insurgent-held territory. Malaysia is a victim of geopolitical turmoil between Russia and the Ukraine, Najib said yesterday.
Parliament will convene in a special session to condemn the act that brought down the aircraft. In March, Malaysian Air Flight 370 disappeared en route for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, with 239 passengers and crew on board, sparking the world’s longest search for a missing jetliner in modern aviation history. That plane hasn’t been found.
“What we Malaysians are experiencing is a situation of real-life human drama versus two mysterious aviation tragedies,” the New Straits Times said in an editorial today. “The judgment - Malaysians are simply not ready for this.”
The national carrier will offer refunds to passengers who want to cancel or postpone their travel plans after this week’s crash, including on non-refundable tickets, according to a statement on its website today.
Dutch Travelers
Flight 17 carried 283 passengers and 15 crew members, with 192 Dutch travelers making up the biggest national group, according to a tally by Malaysian Air. Other nationalities include people from Australia, Indonesia, the U.K., Germany, Belgium, the Philippines, Canada and New Zealand.
Some on the doomed flight were returning to Malaysia to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr in late July, the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. More than 60 percent of the Malaysian population are Muslim and Eid is their biggest celebration of the year.
In the final days of Ramadan, the nation’s shopping malls and bazaars are packed as people buy clothes or material for traditional outfits and purchase everything from pineapple tarts to flower arrangements as they prepare to welcome visiting relatives.
On the front page of the Malay Mail newspaper today, the headline “Global Fury, Malaysia Weeps” accompanied a picture of grief-stricken Jamilah Noriah Abang Anuar, a 72-year-old whose daughter Ariza Ghazalee was on the plane with her husband and four children. Ariza’s last posting on her Facebook page was a photo of 14 pieces of luggage at the airport.
Investigation Team
The Star newspaper showed passengers Shuba Jaya and Paul Goes kissing their daughter Kaela, and asked “Who Killed These Families?” Malaysian Air hasn’t released the passenger manifest.
Malaysia’s armed forces will send two C-130 Hercules aircraft to Ukraine to assist the investigation team, state news agency Bernama reported, citing armed forces chief Zulkefli Mohd Zin.
Najib has insisted that perpetrators be swiftly be brought to justice if it is proven that the plane was shot down. Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he supported for Najib’s call for a parliamentary session on the MH17 crash.
“We in Pakatan are totally committed to any resolution to categorically condemn the mass murder committed by the perpetrators,” Anwar said in an e-mailed statement, referring to his opposition alliance. “In this regard, the prime minister must be unequivocal in naming the party or parties responsible, whoever they may be.”
The opposition Democratic Action Party plans to hold a candlelight vigil tonight.
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