MAS observes mourning period

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) observed a company-wide mourning period as the remains of 20 Malaysian victims, including nine crew members of the ill-fated Flight MH17, arrived home.

As a mark of respect for the victims, the company distributed black ribbons to its cabin crew and flew the company’s flag at half-mast.

In a statement, the airline said all department heads across the organisation led their staff in observing a two-minute silence at 10.55am.

“The company also gave time-off from 10am to 2pm for the staff to pay their respects to their colleagues and friends by lining the road leading to Bunga Raya Complex,” the company said.

The remains, flown from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam via a special flight, MH6129, arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9.50am and was commanded by Capt Datuk Missman Leham.

“With the assistance of the Malaysian and Dutch governments, Malaysia Airlines was able to reunite the family members and repatriate the victims of MH17 to their homeland,” said MAS.

The airline will host tahlil and special prayers for passengers and crew members of both MH17 and MH370 at Masjid Tengku Kelana Jaya Petra in Kelana Jaya here on Aug 26.

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