The tragic downing of Malaysian Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 last night has elicited an outpouring of sympathy from politicians and civil society alike.
The Boeing 777-200 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down while flying over a conflict zone in Ukraine, killing all 298 on board
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin
The DPM conveyed his condolences via Twitter.
“My thoughts and prayers for passengers and crew on board MH17," he tweeted around midnight after the news broke.
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim called on perpetrators of this "mass murder" to be brought to justice.
"We condemn this act of terrorism and urge the international authorities to conduct a full and independent investigation and to bring to justice the perpetrators of this mass murder.
"Our deepest condolences go to the relatives and loved ones of the 298 passengers and crew who perished in this horrific mid-air disaster.
“We call on MAS and the Malaysian authorities to do their utmost in handling the disaster and in particular be utterly sensitive to the feelings and totally responsive to the needs of the families and loved ones."
PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
“The PKR family sends our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We pray that everyone is able to be calm and strong during these troubled times,” she said.
Wan Azizah added the government should conduct a through investigation of the matter and bring the people responsible to justice.
She also hoped the international community especially Russia and Ukraine would be able to cooperate and give full assistance in getting to the bottom of this tragedy.
PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat
“We are deeply saddened that Malaysians were caught in between the cross-fire of Ukraine and Russia.
"We are surprised that a commercial flight was targeted when the Ukraine separatists should have known better whether if it was an armed military plane or not.”
He also questioned the rationale of why MAS still used that particular route when a transport plane was shot down just earlier this week.
Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim
Khalid conveyed the condolences on behalf of the Selangor state in a statement.
“The state expresses its condolences to all the families involved, including Malaysians, Dutch, Australians, Canadians, Indonesians and a few other countries.”
He also called on MAS and its staff to stay strong throughout this incident and bounce back from it.
Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. There are no words to describe the loss.
"My condolences to the families and friends of those on board MH 17."
Activist Marina Mahathir
The prominent activist and daughter of former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad offered her condolences, saying, "Such unbearable sadness in an already sad world. May their souls all rest in peace."
"I think now more than ever we all need to come together in peace and unity, not just here in Malaysia but all over the globe.”
She added Malaysians should not be hasty in pointing fingers, hurling accusations and making threats at others on the social media without proper assessment of the situation.
“Right now take a moment and remember those families who have lost their loved ones on MH17 as well as those losing someone every day in conflict zones around the world...
"We are all human beings and every loss causes pain in a human's heart. We have to remember that.”
Marina also asked Malaysians to partake in # Puasa4Msia tomorrow to fast together for unity and in memory of those lost.
Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong
“It is a black day for Malaysian civil aviation. Certainly, it is also a very trying and difficult time for the families and the loved ones of the passengers and crew of flight MH17 and they are in the thoughts and prayers of every Gerakan member and Malaysians,” he said.
The MP for Teluk Intan also said the incident was an “odious offence” against humanity and expressed his strong protest as well as severe condemnation of the parties responsible.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala
“While still struggling with MH370, the shooting down of MH17 is indeed a shocking tragedy, almost beyond belief and words to describe.” This is from his tweet earlier in the day.
MCA deputy secretary-general Wee Jeck Seng
My deepest condolences to the families and friends of those aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, and I pray that the passengers may find peace and that the families remain strong.
In a crisis such as this, Malaysian Airlines (MAS) should release all available information, in a rapid and effective manner so as to help alleviate the concerns of the families.
We understand the feelings of grief and anxiety of the related families at this crucial moment, and I urge MAS to be transparent in how it handles the issue, and any information should be collected, coordinated and integrated before being release to the next-of-kin and the public.
MAS can also draw from its experience in handling the still unsolved issue of the missing Flight MH370 so as to ensure that the next-of-kin can obtain first-hand accurate and comprehensive information.
When it comes to providing support to the families of the victims, including the dissemination of proper information, MAS should be more active in working to quickly put a stop to, and to refute, all baseless information being shared by providing official statements.
Thus, I hope that MAS can refine its coordination and communication works to help ease the sufferings of the families.
