Malaysia still uneasy over safe access to MH17 crash site in Ukraine

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has expressed concern over safe passage of the investigation team to the crash site of Flight MH17 that is believed to be shot down over war-torn eastern Ukraine, despite the declaration of ceasefire by the conflicting parties. [caption id=“attachment_1533401” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. AFP[/caption] Defence Minister who left for Ukraine said it would not be an easy task for him at ground zero. “Thank God there is a ceasefire on the table, but whether it can be translated to the crash site, grant safe passage for our boys to go down (remains to be seen),” he said before leaving. Ceasefire between Ukraine government forces and the pro-Russian rebels went into effect last Friday evening following an agreement signed in Minsk. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 while on a flight 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. Meanwhile, Home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said investigations at the crash site must be done fast as the upcoming cold season would make the process difficult. Ahmad said the snow would hamper the investigations done by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) probe team. The team will continue with the investigations into the MH17 crash and find the remains of some yet unfound victims for DNA testing before flying them to their countries. Ahmad said the investigating team this time would include divers who would diving into the lake near the crash site, as previously they could not do so because of the skirmishes between the Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists. Meanwhile, a preliminary report on the downing of MH17 over the eastern Ukraine would be released tomorrow. PTI