MH17 families demand justice: 11 years on, Russia must be held accountable
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has since concluded that Russia was responsible for shooting down the aircraft.
SHAH ALAM - Families of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 victims, whose plane was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, are urging the government to hold Russia accountable for the tragic incident.
Habibah Ismail, 75, mother of MH17’s chief flight attendant Azrina Yakob, expressed that despite 11 years having passed, justice and closure for the victims remained elusive.
She called on the government to take firm and appropriate action, emphasising that the pain and suffering of the victims’ families are still deeply felt.
“If it’s true that Russia shot the plane down, I hope they are held responsible. Even after 11 years, accountability is necessary, and the government must be strong in demanding justice for all the victims.
“Thank you to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his concern. I hope he will carry the voice of these victims,” she said in an interview with Sinar on Thursday.
The Prime Minister raised the MH17 tragedy, which claimed the lives of 298 passengers and crew on July 17, 2014, during a recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has since concluded that Russia was responsible for shooting down the aircraft.
However, Russia has rejected the findings of the United Nations aviation agency, dismissing the Dutch-led investigation as politically motivated and based on questionable evidence from Ukraine.
Habibah, who now resides in Alor Setar, Kedah said the tragedy may have happened years ago, but her longing for her second child remains strong.
She often visits her late son’s grave in Taiping, Perak, to remember him whenever she misses him.
Meanwhile, Noorlin Mohd Nor, 58, the youngest sister of MH17 passenger Noor Rahimah Mohd Noor, also expressed hope for justice to be served.
“The question now is, is Russia really responsible? If so, thank God, because finally we know who the traitor is.
“This answers the 11-year wait. We just want clear evidence and justice for the victims,” she said.
At the time of the tragedy, the late Noor Rahimah, who had lived in Geneva, Switzerland for more than 30 years, had returned to Malaysia alone to celebrate Hari Raya with her family in Perak.
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