MH17 The choice of nation to handle the trials of the perpetrators who shot down Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 over Ukraine on July 17 must be considered carefully in order to ensure all victims benefit, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri.
Nancy ( left ) clarified that Malaysia and Ukraine were not members of the International Criminal Court, unlike the Netherlands which suffered the highest number of victims.
"The country to handle the trials has not been decided yet, it still depends on the outcome of the investigation. If the investigation committee recommend that they be tried in Malaysia, the perpetrators will be charged as such.
"If the recommendation is for the trial to be handled by other countries, especially the Netherlands, we will let them handle it. What is important is that the selection of the country must benefit all victims of the tragedy," she told reporters when when met at her Aidilfitri open house at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Petra Jaya near Kuching today.
At the function which was attended by more than 5,000 people, Nancy also witnessed the handing over of a hearse by Amanah Raya Berhad to the Simunjan District Council Mosque and Simunjan Islamic Welfare Board.
'We can use Sosma'
Commenting further, Nancy, however, said Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail (right) who is presently representing Malaysia on the committee investigating the tragedy, would study the best option, whether to have the the trials in Malaysia or otherwise.
"Although Malaysia is not an ICC member, action (against those responsible) can still be taken by Malaysia. We have certain provisions for this, among them the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012(Sosma)," she added.
Flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 283 passengers and 15 crew on board. The Boeing 777-200 aircraft is believed to have been shot down over the troubled country.
Besides Malaysians, nationals from the Netherlands, Australia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines, Canada and New Zealand were among the 298 passengers and crew on board.
- Bernama
