Malaysia "deeply concerned" about crash site interference and demands "full ...

“The integrity of the site has been compromised and there are indications that

vital evidence has not been preserved. Interfering with the scene of the

crash risks undermining the investigation itself. Any action that prevents

us from learning the truth… cannot be tolerated.”

Liow Tiong Lai called for a United Nations-brokered ceasefire and the

establishment of a “safe corridor” so that investigators and rescue teams

could access the crash site to retrieve the bodies of the deceased.

“Their lives were taken by violence. Now violence stops them being accorded

their final respects. This cannot continue.”

Malaysia was initially cautious in its public response to the downing of

Flight MH17 but its language has clearly hardened over the last 24 hours.

On Saturday, the transport minister described what had happened as “an

unacceptable act of aggression” and demanded that those responsible “face

the full force of justice without delay”.

Asked by The Telegraph what his message to those responsible for that act

would be, the minister became visibly emotional.

“We have to appreciate life. We must respect life. We mustn’t take life for

granted. We must stop violence,” he said.

Momentarily appearing on the verge of tears, the minister added: “It is

inhumane to shoot down a commercial aircraft. It is very painful. We are

very sad. We are angry.”

Malaysian authorities continued to deny they had made a mistake allowing

Flight MH17 to fly through Ukrainian airspace even though other major

carriers, including British Airways and Cathay Pacific, have been avoiding

such routes because of the conflict.

“It never strayed into restricted airspace,” the minister said, comparing the

flight’s route to an open motorway between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

“Half way the bridge collapses. Can you blame me?”

“The flight and its operators followed the rules but on the ground the rules

of war were broken. In an unacceptable act of aggression it appears that

MH17 was shot down. It’s passengers and crew killed by a missile. This

outrage cannot go unpunished. Once again Malaysia condemns this brutal act

of aggression and calls for those responsible to be found and to face the

full force of justice without delay.”

Captain Izham Ismail, Malaysia Airlines’ Director of Operation, also defended

the company and said safety was “paramount” to it.

“All airlines conduct their own threat analysis,” he said, adding: “I believe

we did not make a mistake.”

Malaysia "deeply concerned" about crash site interference and demands "full ...