Govt to issue official response to ICAO statement on MH17

by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN

THE government is reviewing the latest statement issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in July 2014.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Transport Minister has informed the administration that an official media statement will be released soon by the Ministry of Transport in response to ICAO’s remarks.

“There is ongoing coordination with the Transport Minister on this matter, and we ask members of the media to await the official statement, which is expected within a day or two,” he said in a press conference today.

The ICAO Council, in a statement dated May 12, concluded that the Russian Federation is responsible for the downing of MH17, which resulted in the deaths of all 298 passengers and crew on board.

The ruling determined that Russia had violated its obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention, by failing to uphold international air safety standards.

The ICAO’s conclusion stems from a case brought by the Netherlands and Australia in 2022, following a Dutch-led criminal investigation that found a Russian-supplied Buk missile, launched from separatist-held territory in eastern Ukraine, was responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile in another matter, Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has yet to receive any request to restrict access to Russian e-hailing platforms InDrive and Maxim.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the commission would act under existing laws if instructed by the Transport Ministry.

“As of today, MCMC has not informed me of any request from the Transport Ministry to take action,” Fahmi said

He added that any enforcement, if required, could be carried out under the Communications and Multimedia Act.

On May 9, both platforms were ordered to cease operations in Malaysia by July 24 for violating local transport regulations by the government.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) had issued official letters instructing both platforms to stop their operations.

“They can appeal, but any decision on the appeal lies solely with me in my capacity as transport minister,” Loke said.

The shutdown follows calls for enforcement action by the Malaysian P-Hailing Delivery Association, which alleged both services continued operating without complying with the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715).