Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said it had enabled the task of bringing back the remains, which was done in stages, to run smoothly before the burial.
“Even in a sad situation, the next-of-kin have given a 100 percent cooperation,” she told a media conference pertaining to preparations for the ceremony to receive the remains at the Communication and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) Complex here Wednesday.
The media conference was also attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek and his deputy Datuk Jailani Johari.
Rohani reminded the next-of-kin not to open the coffin as all the remains had been handled the best way possible according to their respective religion.
“After discussing with them, many of the next-of-kin agreed not to open the coffin. But we cannot rule out if there may be someone who insists on opening it and we cannot stop them,” she said.
Meanwhile Liow said 20 of the remains to be bought back on Friday involved 17 in coffins and three in ash urns.
Up till now, 28 Malaysian victims, 15 passengers and 13 crew members, have been identified, including 14 Muslims and 14 non Muslims.
The MAS plane on flight MH17, carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members, crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 enroute from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
The Boeing 777-200 is believed to have been shot down by a missile over the troubled country.
— BERNAMA
