More than 1,000 gather to pay final respects at KLIA

SEPANG: The hot weather was no hindrance to more than 1,000 people, among them Malaysia Airlines staff, who gathered outside the grounds of the Bunga Raya Complex at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to pay their respects to victims of the MH17 tragedy.

They gathered there from as early as 7am despite not being allowed into the complex grounds where only family members were permitted to enter.

About 300 MAS staff, comprising cabin and technical crew arrived in vans and buses provided by the administration from the Flight Management Building.

Another group of MAS staff walked about 3km from the same building to the Bunga Raya Complex.

When the hearses passed by, some of them shed tears while others tried to control their emotions. Many had brought white flowers, such as roses and chrysanthemums, while some carried the Malaysian flag.

MAS stewardess Emilia Abd Latif said the late Nur Shazana Mohamed Salleh was among those who were really close to her.

The last time they flew together was to Perth, several weeks before the shooting down of MH17.

“We often change crew and sometimes we would only work together once a year, but we are still family. When we were in Perth, she (Nur Shazana) said ‘don’t know when we will fly again together’,” said Emilia as she tried to hold back her tears.

Another crew member, Shazly Bashah, 40, said he was touched by the presence of the MAS crew who turned up even though they were on duty. — Bernama

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