MH17: M’sian govt to spend RM23.32mil on Dutch trial, Dr Wee tells Parliament

The Malaysian government will spend RM23.32m on the Dutch trial involving the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. "The trial is currently ongoing and the RM23.32m is 30% of the trial cost which the government will bear next year to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice," he said when winding up his ministerial replies on Budget 2021 at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. He added the trial comes after the conclusion of the Dutch Safety Board's initial probe and the subsequent criminal investigations by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). Dr Wee said the allocation will cover both lawyers’ fees and court costs. "The country has a responsibility as it involved the downing of a Malaysian aircraft whose perpetrators must be punished," he added. MH17 was said to have been shot down by a BUK missile over the conflict-hit eastern Ukraine while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17,2014.<br/>