PKR CONGRESS A PKR delegate from Perak today questioned the involvement of the military in yesterday’s national day of mourning in conjunction with the arrival of the remains of 20 victims of the MH17 tragedy.

During the debate on the president’s policy speech at the PKR Congress today, retired admiral Imran Abdul Hamid pointed out that fallen soldiers in the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion were not accorded the same treatment.

Instead, those who perished in Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 on July 17 were given full military honours, he said.

“The reception for the 10 fallen soldiers (who died during the Lahad Datu intrusion) were moderate unlike the ceremony which was held for the MH17 victims.

“It’s not that I am dissatisfied, I just think it was excessive,” said Imran, who is also Lumut MP.

“It’s not that we do not sympathise, but why was it carried out to that extent?” he asked.

He said the government should explain the rationale behind the decision. Yesterday was the country’s first ever ceremonial military honours bestowed on civilians.

The remains of 20 of the 43 Malaysians who were on board of MH17 which was shot down over Ukraine were received at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday morning.

The nation observed one minute of silence at 10.54am yesterday as a sign of respect for the fallen victims.