Malaysia channels three types of assistance to Indonesia

2009/10/03

PEKAN, Sat: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia is channelling three types of assistance to earthquake-hit West Sumatra, Indonesia.

The assistance provided were search and rescue; medical relief; and humanitarian aid, he said.

"I've spoke to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the telephone late last night and conveyed the government and the Malaysian people's condolences on the tragedy in Padang," he said after handing over donations to 161 haj pilgrims from Pekan parliamentary area today.

Najib said that the Malaysian Search and Rescue Team (Smart) with 39 members had left for Padang to assist in the search and rescue efforts for victims who were trapped under rubble following last Wednesday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake.

He said that there was also a medical team sent to the capital of West Sumatra comprising officers from the armed forces medical corps, Health Ministry and non-governmental organisation, Mercy Malaysia. -- Bernama