Five more Malaysians identified, three to return tomorrow

PETALING JAYA: Forensic experts in the Netherlands have identified the remains of five more Malaysians who were on board Flight MH17, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The Transport Minister said the remains were that of Liew Yau Chee, Tan Siew Poh, Meling Mula, Matthew Ezekial Sivagnanam and Lee Kiah Yeen.

“The release of the remains has yet to be announced by the Dutch authorities,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Liow, who is MCA president, said 224 MH17 passengers had been identified so far, with 74 victims still in the process of being identified.

“Of the 44 Malaysians on board, the remains of 41, comprising 26 passengers and 15 crew members, have been identified,” he said.

Liow also announced that the remains of three victims would be arriving at the KL International Airport at about 8.30am tomorrow.

“This will mark the fifth arrival of remains repatriated to Malaysia,” he said. “As per previous arrivals, our fellow citizens will be accorded full military honours.”

He said the flight from the Netherlands would be bringing home the remains of Muhammad Afzal Tambi and Marsha Azmeena Tambi, children of Tambi Jiee, and crew member Shaikh Mohd Noor Mahmood.

“As they lay their loved ones to rest, we pray that they may find the courage and strength to weather through this tragic loss,” Liow said.

“Malaysia will continue to work closely with our international partners, particularly the Government of Netherlands, to ensure that the remaining victims will soon be reunited with their families,” he said.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein tweeted that despite only three Malaysian victims not accounted for, the Ma­­laysian team was still pushing to go in for a “final sweep” of the crash site before winter set in.