RM160,000 for kin

KUALA LUMPUR: The immediate family members of the victims of flight MH17 are expected to receive an advance compensation of US$50,000 (about RM160,000) at the soonest possible date.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said MAS will hand over the advance payment.
"I understand the payment to the closest kin will be made soon as it is clear what has happened to the aircraft," she said when contacted by RTM in the Selamat Pagi 1Malaysia programme aired over TV1.
Rohani said earlier, 25 family members of the victims of MH17 received US$5,000 (about RM16,000) as a one-off payment from MAS to assist them in their daily expenses, Bernama reported.
She said 70% of the immediate relatives of the Malaysian victims have informed the ministry on the managing of the bodies when they arrive.
"The rest have not made any decision and we are not forcing them to decide as we understand they are still in grief. At the moment, the pressing question from these relatives and family members is when they would be able to receive the bodies of their loved ones," she said.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said arrangements for repatriating the bodies of Malaysian victims will be discussed once all the bodies have been identified, Bernard Cheah reported.
He said that at the moment, efforts to locate and identify victims of the MH17 tragedy are still being done.
"Once bodies have been identified and the necessary forensic work completed, the next-of-kin will be informed. Arrangements for repatriating the bodies will then be discussed with the next-of-kin," he said this in a statement today.
"At all times, we will be guided by the next-of-kin, and will endeavour to carry out repatriation in line with their wishes," he said.
Liow said arrangements are being made for a national day of mourning once all remains are repatriated. – Bernama