MH17 This nation of 30 million people is today receiving 20 of their compatriots who perished in a plane crash in eastern Ukraine, marking the sad occasion with a nationwide day of mourning.
The eyes of the world will focus on the VVIP Bunga Raya Complex at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, where the remains of the Malaysian nationals are scheduled to arrive at about 9.45 am aboard a special aircraft from Amsterdam.
Malaysians woke up this morning to the Jalur Gemilang being hoisted at half-mast as they prepared to observe a one-minute of silence to honour the victims of the crash, in which 298 people, including 43 Malaysians aboard the ill-fated jetliner, were killed on July 17.
What must have been an agonising wait for the next-of-kin of the 20 victims came to an end with the arrival of their remains, 37 days after the downing of the civilian Boeing 777 that shocked the world.
What's in store is the nation's first ever ceremonial military honours bestowed on civilians encapsulated in a simple yet dignified ceremony at the Bunga Raya Complex, which is normally reserved for the arrival and departure of VVIPs.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah, as well as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor will be among the dignitaries to be present at the complex located adjacent to the KLIA main terminal building.
A total of 300 military personnel from the 12th Infantry Brigade were on duty to ensure the remains are treated with utmost respect and dignity.
Notwithstanding a live telecast on the proceedings at the complex over local television channels, people began to converge outside the premises as early as 7am to witness for themselves the historic but sad occasion.
To date, 30 Malaysian victims of the plane crash have been identified, but only 20 are being repatriated after completing stringent procedures before being released to Malaysian authorities.
Arrangements are being made to transfer the remains in 17 caskets and three urns bearing the ashes of cremated remains to their hometowns and eventual final resting place in various locations such as Muar, Segamat, Putrajaya, Ipoh, Taiping and Gombak.
Military planes and helicopters have been put on stand by to transport several remains to their respective destinations, including as far away as Kuching.
- Bernama
