HONG KONG (AFP) - Malaysia on Friday dispatched a team of investigators to Ukraine to try and uncover what happened to flight MH17 after it crashed in a rebel-held area amid speculation it had been shot down.

"The government of Malaysia is dispatching a special flight to Kiev, carrying a special Malaysia disaster assistance and rescue team, as well as a medical team," Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters at a press conference.

The Malaysian premier added that he had spoken to his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko, who had vowed a "full, thorough and independent" investigation into what brought down the Boeing 777 jet.

"The Ukrainian president also confirmed that his government will negotiate with rebels in the east of the country, in order to establish a humanitarian corridor to the crash site," Mr Najib added.