JULY 21 — Much has been said and reported about Flight MH17 which was shot down while flying in Ukrainian air space on Thursday.
Many questions were raised – why a commercial flight was travelling over a war zone, conspiracy theories that Ukraine shot down the Malaysia Airlines plane as its colours were similar to the plane of Russian Preisdent Vladimir Putin and that Russia had supplied and trained rebels to use the BUK missile used to down the aircraft.
What is clear is the flight route, connecting Europe and Asia, was also used by many other airlines.
Reports suggest Singapore Airlines planes used the same route on 75 occasions over the past week.
According to leading German magazine Spiegel Online, Lufthansa flew the same path 56 times. The other major airlines include Russia’s Aeroflot (86 times), Ukraine International Airlines (62), Thai Airways (34), Air India (33), Pakistan International Airways (33) and Jet Airways (31). MAS flew in the area 48 times last week.
As the news broke out, many grieved, asking why MAS again? Why target a plane belonging to a struggling airline company, albeit being among one of the best airliner in the world, they said.
The agony is understandable as several nations continue to search for the Beijing-bound missing MH370 which “ended its journey in the Indian Ocean” since March 8.
As the world weeps while demanding for answers, things appear to be progressing slowly at the crash site in Dontesk.
There are claims by the authorities, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) team, that they were not able to gain access to the site.
Allegations that the crash site is not being secured as locals continued to loot from the dead have surfaced and latest reports claim bodies were being moved to undisclosed locations.
Some have even said the plane’s black box, a crucial component in investigations, was recovered and had been sent to Moscow by pro-Russian rebels.
Recently appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai was emotional when he addressed the media on Saturday.
He had said suggestions of evidence being tampered and actions that prevented the truth from being unveiled could not be tolerated.
Liow, who momentarily appeared to be on the verge of tears, said: “It is inhumane to shoot down a commercial aircraft. It is very painful. We are very sad. We are angry.”
Yes, citizens of the world are angry. We are in disbelieve, many are still unable to accept they have lost their sons, daughters, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.
Yet, apathy appears to be dead to some.
Both Ukraine and Russia who have been playing the blame game have used this incident as a launching pad to push forward their agendas. Russia claims Ukraine is responsible, hoping this would justify its animosity with the country which has been brewing since February.
Ukraine, meanwhile, views this as a good opportunity to rid pro-Russian rebels out of the area by applying pressure on Russia to pull out its influence in and around the eastern region.
While the powerhouses, including US and UK, have plenty to say, the fact remains that the families of the 298 on board the ill-fated plane are still waiting to say their final goodbyes to their loved ones.
As Liow rightfully pointed out: “Their lives were taken by violence. Now violence stops them being accorded their final respects. This cannot continue.”
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
