IPOH, June 28 — A delay in payment of compensation to the next-of-kin of victims of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 tragedy is due to time taken in identifying the legitimate heirs.
Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said MAS must first study the background of the legitimate beneficiaries of the compensation payments before the money was channelled to them.
“I understand that many have received the payments and only a few families have not yet been identified for this purpose.
“The matter should be dealt with by MAS as soon as possible,” he told reporters after officiating the annual general meeting of the Gopeng MCA Youth and Wanita divisions here today.
Flight MH17 carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members, including 44 Malaysians was enroute to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it crashed in Ukraine after the aircraft was shot down over the country’s restive east on July 17 last year.
According to Liow, the Malaysian Government has urged the United Nations to assist Malaysia to investigate the events leading to the crash of Flight MH17. “This is to ensure that international investigating bodies produce their reports soon to identify the party responsible for the downing of Flight MH17,” he said. — Bernama
