MH17: Early report on black box ready next week

KUALA LUMPUR: A preliminary investigation report on the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 black box should be ready by next week, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“Hopefully, we will be able to reveal the preliminary study then,” he told reporters after attending a meeting to coordinate a ceremony to receive the bodies of the victims. It was chaired by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

Liow said a preliminary investigation was conducted, headed by Dutch investigators.

“The Department of Civil Aviation participated in the meeting. We are still collecting more data and wreckage from the crash site,” he said.

“However, what is important is the data from the black box. It is useful to determine how the crash occurred.”

Liow also expressed his condolences to the families and friends of Australian citizens on board the plane as the nation held a memorial service yesterday.

He said an inter-faith memorial for the Malaysian victims would be held once the bodies had been brought home.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said military personnel would not be sent to the crash site to protect investigators amid fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine.

He said the remains of 43 Malaysians who perished on the doomed flight might be flown home in stages without any official ceremony to receive them at the KL International Airport.

“Not all of the families would like to be in the limelight. Some would like it to be a personal family affair and we have to respect that,” he said.

“Once the Dutch authority has completed the identifying process and announced that the bodies could be released, the Government will decide whether to bring home the remains in one trip or separately,” said Hishammuddin.

He said the remains would be flown back on a MAS flight.

“Military aircrafts will be on standby in KLIA for those who want their family members to be buried in their hometowns,” he said.

“The family members will make the decision — and the Government will provide all the necessary assistance.”

Hishammuddin said Malaysia’s main concern was the crash site currently.

“Renewed fighting has broken out between the Ukraine government and the separatists,” he said.

“Things can change, and once it gets out of hand, the chances of us going back into the site will be very difficult,” he pointed out. “The window of opportunity is small and we will do whatever it takes to bring as many bodies out of the contested field,” said Hishammuddin.