Over 200 attend flight MH17 remembrance ceremony in Sepang

SEPANG: More than 200 family members and friends of the crew of the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 gathered at a private remembrance ceremony at the Flight Management Building of KL International Airport here yesterday.

The event, organised by Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB), was also attended by the national carrier’s employees in honour and memory of the 15 crew who perished in the 2014 tragedy.

The crew were among the 298 people on board the Boeing 777 aircraft which was shot down while flying to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam on July 17, 2014.

MAB chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof said at the event that it was an occasion to strengthen bonds of friendship between families and friends of MAB.

At the event, the family of each crew was presented a stalk of pink rose, a gift box with a golden ribbon and Aidilfitri goodies.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the crew and passengers of MH17 and their family members. It was a really sad and tragic event,” Md Nor said.

Besides a presentation of slides of the air disaster and the crew members, each of the crew members’ names was read out by Md Nor who described them as people who had been loving, dedicated to and focused on their jobs, and jovial.

When met by reporters after the event, Sharifah Asma’a Syed Alwi Al Junied, widow of Flight MH17 first officer Ahmad Hakimi Hanapi said she was thankful to MAB for having organised the gathering, even after the passing of two years.

“This is something very close to our hearts and very meaningful as the perished crew are remembered even after two years,” she said.

Flight MH17 Captain Wan Amran Wan Hussin’s younger brother Wan Ahmad Khairul had also attended the gathering.

Stewardess Mastura Mustafa’s father Mustafa Abdul Samad said he felt sad during the presentation of the slides.

Separately, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said there is no specific period set for the families of victims to get counselling services provided by ministry.

The counsellors would be ready to provide counselling when the next-of-kin contacted them, she said. – Bernama

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