KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The attempt to launch legal proceedings by relevant governments with regards to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 can help establish truth and seek justice, said Malaysia's transport minister in a statement on Wednesday.
Liow Tiong Lai made the remarks after it was reported that those responsible for shooting down MH17 nearly three years ago in eastern Ukraine may face prosecution in the Netherlands, where the majority of the 283 passengers on board the flight were coming from.
The decision was jointly made by the governments of Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Ukraine and the Netherlands.
"We are also pleased to note that the Dutch Public Prosecution Service will make the necessary decisions concerning prosecution at the appropriate time given the criminal investigation is still ongoing," said Liow.
The minister noted that cooperation between the investigative authorities will also continue in the prosecution phase.
"With this milestone, Malaysia is ever more resolute to seek justice," he said.
In the tragic accident on July 17, 2014 , all 298 on board the plane lost their lives while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
The Dutch authorities concluded in a investigative report in 2015 that the passenger jet, a Boeing 777, was shot down by a Russian-made ground-to-air rocket.
But the investigation team did not pinpoint who should be held criminally responsible for the tragedy.
