Putin wants 'credible, independent' probe into MH17 downing: Anwar

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says Russia has called for a thorough and independent investigation into the downing of MH17.

• The PM says Russia is unwilling to cooperate with any party that is considered to be biased.

• This follows an ICAO report that ruled Russia responsible for the 2014 tragedy that killed 298 on board MH17.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a thorough, comprehensive, and non-politicised investigation into the downing of MH17.

In a video posted on his official Facebook page, Anwar said that Putin had, from the very beginning, insisted that the investigations must be independent and meticulous.

“President Putin listened and, firstly, expressed his sympathy and condolences to the families. He has never wavered. Secondly, he said that he had called for a thorough, comprehensive, and non-politicised investigation.

“The Russian side is prepared to offer full cooperation to ensure the report is more credible and authoritative. That was the explanation given. I, of course, conveyed it to the families. What I can confirm is that he said it is untrue, regarding claims that he is unwilling to cooperate.

“However, he is unable to cooperate with anybody that he or Russia considers to be lacking in independence. That is what I raised, as it so happened that I was there, and I was the first representative of a country involved in the MH17 incident to meet President Putin after the report was released,” Anwar said.

The prime minister is on an official visit to Russia from today until May 16, where he is scheduled to meet Putin in Moscow and attend the “Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum” in Kazan.

All eyes on Russia after ICAO’s report

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that the Australian and Dutch governments have each issued separate statements that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council had ruled that Russia is responsible for shooting down MH17, and will consider appropriate reparations in the coming weeks.

The aircraft was shot down en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, while travelling through eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces were fighting Russian-backed separatists.

All 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board were killed.

The ICAO finding followed the November 2022 conviction of two Russians and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their role in downing the plane.

Russia, which has consistently denied involvement, rejected the ICAO ruling as “biased”.

‘Let’s not politicise MH17’

On Tuesday, Anwar’s aide, Kamil Abdul Munim, cautioned against politicising ICAO’s findings, calling such moves opportunistic.

Kamil noted that statements from the Dutch and Australian governments on the matter came just ahead of Anwar’s official visit to Russia, which had been planned for months.

PAS has also urged the prime minister to demand justice from Russia over the 2014 tragedy.

“Therefore, what matters is that the report should not be exploited or hijacked by parties who are shallow in their understanding of the issue.

“Let us not be easily dragged into the games of major powers by helping to direct the enemy’s bullets towards us. Politicising the MH17 tragedy is the lowest level of opportunism in pursuit of cheap political gain,” he said in his post on the micro-blogging site X.

Kamil, who is Anwar’s political secretary in the latter’s capacity as finance minister, also reaffirmed that Malaysia will continue to seek justice for the victims of the downing of MH17.

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