A solemn memorial service was held in Kiev, Ukraine on 17 July 2015 to commemorate the First Anniversary of the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane MH17 over the Donetsk region. It was co-organised by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ukraine together with the Embassy of Malaysia in Ukraine and Embassy of Australia in Ukraine.
A candle was lighted at 1623 hours followed by one minute of silence to mark the exact time of that terrible tragedy when the MH17 Boeing 777-200 plane disappeared from the radar screen.
President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Senior Ministers, Ambassadors and 500 distinguished guests attended the musical requiem. President Poroshenko, Ambassador of the Netherlands, Ambassador of Malaysia and Ambassador of Australia spoke at the beginning of the commemoration ceremony.
The text of the brief words of sorrow by Ambassador Chuah Teong Ban of Malaysia is as follows:
Quote”
Mr. President Petro Poroshenko
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk,
Ministers,
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we are still reeling from those pains and sadness of that terrible tragedy of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
Malaysia too observed the first commemorative memorial for the 298 victims of the MH17 a week ago on 11 July.
Please allow me to share with you the atmosphere at that memorial service. The air was overwhelmingly heavy filled with emotions, grieves, pains, sorrows, angers and agonies. When the names of all 298 victims were scrolled on the overhead screen, there was not a single dry eye in the hall, tears just roll down on their cheeks. No words could comfort them. There were occasional sobs and soft weeps.
Equally, the loved ones are angry, frustrated and impatient that there is still no early closure. The investigation process took so long. The perpetrators are still not yet been brought to justice.
Heeding the sentiments and feelings of the next-of-kin and loved ones, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his speech at the memorial, reaffirmed the commitment of the Malaysian Government to leave no stone unturned in the quest to uncover the truth, together with the international community, so that the perpetrators could be brought to face the court of justice, possibly the international criminal tribunal.
May all the 298 souls continue to rest in peace. God bless. Unquote”