Malaysia set to join MH17 crash investigation team

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will be made a member of the Dutch-led team which is investigating the downing of MH17 plane over eastern Ukraine that claimed 298 lives, Netherland Prime Minister Mark Rutte said today.

Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Dutch counterpart Rutte, who is here on a one-day visit, said that both countries have realised the importance of Malaysia's presence in the team.

"I would like to state that 43 people died in this crash and the aircraft (MH17) was carrying the Malaysian flag, so it is only logical that Malaysia gets involved," Rutte said during a joint press conference.

Najib in response to Rutte's comments said that he expected a "meaningful development" to take place in the next few days regarding Malaysia's involvement in the team, the Malaysian Star reported.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17, carrying 298 passengers and crew, crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.

The jetliner is believed to have been shot down by a missile fired by pro-Russian rebels over the troubled country.

It was the second tragedy to hit Malaysia Airlines this year after Flight MH370 carrying 239 people disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 and no sign of that plane has been found despite a massive air and sea search in the Indian Ocean.