LANGKAWI, Aug 16- The people throughout the country will observe a moment of silence for several minutes simultaneously to show their respect to the victims of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 air crash which will arrive in the country on Aug 22.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said all activities would be stopped for several minutes to show respect for the victims when the remains arrive from Amsterdam, Holland.
“This is the first time the people of Malaysia simultaneously observe a minute of silence and I hope it will be successful to demonstrate the unity and solidarity of the people of various races following the tragedy faced by the nation,” he said at a media conference after opening the Delegates Conference of the Langkawi Umno division at the Mahsuri International Exposition Centre (MIEC) in Padang Matsirat, here today.
He said that the time to observe the meditation would be decided later and would be announced live by the television stations during the coverage for the arrival of the remains at about 10 am on that day.
Hishammuddin said the ceremony to honour the victims of the tragedy would be coordinated by his ministry that would also involve 10 other ministries.He said that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah was expected to attend the ceremony where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would also be present.
He said two types of assets belonging to the Malaysian Armed Forces, namely the C130 aircraft and five Nuri helicopters would be utilised to send the remains to the respective states for the burial ceremony.Sixteen bodies, including six Muslims, would arrive at the KL International Airport at about 10am on Aug 22.
– BERNAMA
