Malaysia flag to be flown at half mast on Friday as mark of respect for MH17 victims

Members of a group of international experts inspect wreckage at the site where the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed, near the village of Hrabove (Grabovo) in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine on Aug 1, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Members of a group of international experts inspect wreckage at the site where the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed, near the village of Hrabove (Grabovo) in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine on Aug 1, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia flags nationwide must be flown at half mast on Friday as a mark of respect for those who died in the MH17 tragedy.

"The national day of mourning is to express the country's deep sorrow and pay tribute to victims of the tragedy," said the Prime Minister's Department in a statement.

The department also issued a directive calling on all ministries, government departments and agencies to fly the flag at half mast on Friday.

The Government had announced a national day of mourning for victims of MH17 on Aug 22, when some of the remains of the Malaysians who were killed in the tragedy would be brought home from the Netherlands.

However, the day would not be declared a public holiday.

The coffins will be transported via a special flight from Amsterdam, and are expected to arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 10am on Friday for the receiving ceremony at the Bunga Raya Complex.

To date, 26 Malaysian victims have been identified.

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