Najib announces emergency Parliament session on flight MH17 crash
Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called for an emergency Parliament session on July 23 to condemn the irresponsible act by those who caused the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash in eastern Ukraine yesterday.
Making an official address to the nation from Angkasapuri, in a telecast that was carried live by government broadcaster RTM, he also announced that the national flag will be flown at half mast from tonight until Monday as a sign of mourning over the loss of lives in the incident.
He, however, added that until credible evidence surfaces, there will be no finger-pointing towards any party involved, despite the widespread believe that the flight with 298 passengers and crew onboard was shot down.
He also expressed condolences and deep sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victims on behalf of Putrajaya.
"We condemn this despicable and irresponsible act and as prime minister will be calling an emergency Parliament session to debate this motion," he said of this second tragedy involving a Malaysia Airlines flight in the past four months.
Najib said that he had also put forward three demands to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
"First, we want to ensure that evidence relating to the incident is not tampered with or disturbed; secondly, we hope for the safety of rescue personnel during the operations to be guaranteed.
"And thirdly, if the investigation finds that MH17 was indeed shot down, we demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
"I have put forward these three demands to UN chief Ban Ki-moon," he said at a special address today, adding that Malaysians are facing some very challenging times.
Acknowledging that "we are in the last days of the fasting month", Najib also called on Muslims, regardless of political affiliation, to come together to pray so that Malaysia will be safe from harm.
He also called on other faiths to pray for the same in their own way. – July 18, 2014.
