KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — Malaysia will invoke local criminal laws with extraterritorial applications to punish those who brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told Parliament today.

The announcement is the first indicator to how Putrajaya plans to navigate the legal labyrinth it faces to bring the still-unidentified parties responsible for the death of all 298 victims on board the plane believed to have been shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile.

“For the purpose of bringing the criminals to justice Malaysia will use Malaysian criminal laws with international jurisdiction.

“This includes the Penal Code and the Aviation Offences Act 1984,” Muhyiddin said while wrapping up Putrajaya’s motion to condemn the downing of MH17.

Parliament today unanimously approved the motion to condemn the attack, after more than five hours of debate, with the House commending Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his handling of the crisis.

All MPs were also united in prioritising efforts to unravel what had transpired when the KL-bound plane was shot down en route from Amsterdam, in order for swift justice to be delivered to the victims and their families.

“Malaysia demands that the parties responsible for committing this abominable crime against humanity to be brought to justice.

“As the Malay saying goes, blood debt must be repaid with blood,” Muhyiddin said.

Earlier today, Najib said Malaysia will not blame anyone for the incident until the investigation is complete, but was firm in expressing Malaysia’s demand that both Ukraine and Russia facilitate a transparent probe.

Putrajaya is now reaching out to the global community to aid Malaysia’s efforts to establish an independent international inquiry in an effort to bring closure for the victims’ families.

“Malaysia realises that our authorities do not have jurisdiction to conduct an investigation or make arrests in other countries.

“Therefore, the investigation and jurisdiction over the criminals can only be executed with the co-operation and genuine commitment by the relevant countries and authorities,” Muhyiddin said.

Earlier, Najib also said that the Attorney-General has been instructed to look into possible action against parties thought responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine.

“The AG has been told to study this matter thoroughly and in details, to ensure any legal action to be taken by Malaysia in the future will based on international laws,” he said while reading out the motion.

Malaysia lost 43 of its own on the flight that was brought down on July 17 with 298 on board.

Legal experts believe Malaysia has a strong case but stressed it is vital to obtain evidence as to the type of missile that took down the Malaysia Airlines plane, as well as for other facts to be uncovered first.

Yesterday Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the international investigation team led by the Netherlands has decided to pass the black boxes to the United Kingdom Air Accidents Investigation Branch for forensic analysis; these have since been received by the British agency.

US officials have said the passenger jet was shot down by Russian-backed rebels.