Malaysia: No conclusive evidence against Russia in MH17 downing
Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke has declared that there is no conclusive evidence to confirm that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Channel News Asia reported on May 31.
Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke has declared thatthere is no conclusive evidence to confirm that Russiawas responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 ineastern Ukraine in 2014, Channel News Asia reported on May 31.
Lokesaid there is no conclusive evidence to point at Russia under the JointInvestigative Team (JIT) evidence, adding that diplomatic relations need to betaken into consideration and any further actions will be based on conclusiveevidence.
OnMay 24, the JIT comprising representatives from the Netherlands, Australia,Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine concluded that the Buk Telar with which FlightMH17 was shot down is from the 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade stationedin Kursk, Russia.
MalaysianAirlines flight MH17 Boeing 777 crashed on July 17, 2014,near Donetsk en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. All 283passengers and 15 crew onboard were killed in the crash. They werecitizens from 10 countries, mostly the Netherlands.
Ukraineauthorities and western countries accused pro-Russia force in eastern Ukraineof staying behind the downing. Meanwhile, Russia and leaders of pro-Russiaforce in eastern Ukraine affirmed that the aircraft was hit by missile firedfrom a territory controlled by the Ukraine government’s army.
Russiahas rejected the JIT's accusation, saying that no such weapon had ever crossedthe Russian-Ukrainian border.-VNA
All preparations for a day of national mourning for Malaysian victims of the MH17 tragedy on August 22 have been completed, said an officer of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence.
A national mourning for Malaysian victims of the flight MH17 tragedy was organised on August 22, marking the first time the civilians have been commemorated in a national-level ceremony.
The Malaysian Government said it will continue efforts to find a satisfactory explanation for the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine two years ago.
Malaysian lawyer Darryl Goon on September 29 stated that Malaysia might ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and try those responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Debris of MH17 aircraft (Source: AFP) 
