The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been directed to give a reminder to two local radio stations which were deemed insensitive to the Day of Mourning yesterday.

    

Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the two stations would be told to explain why they were not together with the people and the government during the time of sorrow yesterday.

"The stations are regarded as being obstinate and aired songs which were inappropriate at that time. We only asked for one minute and they deemed the one minute cannot be given. So, we also want to know the reason why," he said.

Nevertheless, Ahmad Shabery expressed his satisfaction at the local media reports on the situation yesterday which he regarded as comprehensive coverage.

"I am satisfied with the media reports and cooperation especially during the observation of the minute's silence. It was a moment which required the cooperation of all and comprehensive involvement.

"In the end, it was carried out with great success with the cooperation of the media and all quarters," he said.

When asked to comment on certain irresponsible quarters which issued inaccurate news and questioned the one-minute's silence, he said it did not reflect the majority of Malaysians.

He also asked the media to respect the privacy of the families of the victims of the air crash for fear the reports would be manipulated by irresponsible parties.

‘Astounding and extraordinary’

 

Shabery described the nationwide solidarity demonstrated in the observance of one minute's silence in respect of the victims of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 crash was “astounding and extraordinary”.

He said the spirit proved that Malaysians remained united in their sorrow on the Day of National Mourning.

"I received hundreds of photographs which were recorded when we observed the one minute's silence nationwide. It is a manifestation on the awareness of Malaysians to show sympathy and support for the families of the victims.

"It is very successful and it is awe-inspiring and unprecedented," he told reporters after opening the Kota Baru Wanita Umno divisional delegates meeting in Kota Baru today.

Flight MH17 was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in the Donetsk region, east Ukraine on July 17.

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 298 passengers and 15 crew was shot down but until today no quarters had claimed responsibility.

A total 43 people, including the crew, were Malaysians, and of the total, 20 bodies had been flown home for burial.

- Bernama