Malaysia, Netherlands seek to put MH17 high on world agenda

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) shakes hands with the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte (L) at the end of a joint press conference at the prime minister's office in Putrajaya on Nov 5, 2014. (Photo: AFP/Manan Vatsyayana)

PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday (Nov 5) stressed that both Malaysia and the Netherlands need to continue to work closely to keep the case of the MH17 crash high on the international agenda. Despite tough conditions at the crash site in eastern Ukraine, both prime ministers said investigation into the July 17 disaster must continue.

Mr Rutte was speaking after meeting his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in Putrajaya. Mr Rutte's flight to Malaysia on board Malaysia Airlines MH19 - the re-numbered former MH17 - was no coincidence. It departed from Amsterdam almost at the same time and flew an almost similar route as the ill-fated MH17.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, Mr Rutte was warmly received and met Mr Najib for over an hour before greeting the Malaysian team involved in the recovery and investigation of MH17. At a joint news conference, both prime ministers agreed that Malaysia ought to be officially included in the international investigation team.

Mr Rutte said: "The fact that 43 people from Malaysia died in this crash and the plane was carrying the Malaysian flag, so it's only natural and logical that Malaysia is fully involved. That's exactly what the Netherlands want."

Mr Najib said: "We have common objectives. Malaysia will be very, very professional. So there is no reason to doubt that, when Malaysia becomes a full member of the team, which I expect Malaysia will be."

Malaysia has played an instrumental role in retrieving the black boxes of the downed plane and the remains of victims after brokering a deal with rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine. But the investigation was fraught with complications on the ground as the crash site remains unsafe and winter has set in.

Still, both Malaysia and the Netherlands pledged to continue with a criminal investigation into the MH17 crash. Prime Minister Rutte said independent safety boards are working with prosecutors to ascertain how best to bring the case forward, adding that the International Criminal Court may not be the best place to hear the case.

Two hundred and ninety-eight crew and passengers were on board MH17, of whom 193 were Dutch nationals. Of the 43 Malaysians on board, all have been identified.

Kiev and the West say the Boeing 777 was blown from the sky by separatist fighters using a surface-to-air missile supplied by Russia. Moscow strongly denies the charge and has suggested the plane was shot down by a Ukrainian fighter jet.