Malaysia doubles aid to Palu victims

For a good cause: Dr Wan Azizah (second from left) launching the Sulawesi Relief Fund in Lukut. With her are (from left) Wan Hasni Wan Yusof (Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Aminuddin Harun’s wife), Malaysia Global Peace Mission CEO Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin and Penang State Assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang.

PORT DICKSON: Malaysia is donating another RM500,000 in aid to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Palu in Sulawesi.

This brings the total contribution by Malaysia to RM1mil.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the Cabinet approved the additional contribution yesterday.

She had on Monday announced Malaysia’s donation of RM500,000 to assist the victims in Central Sulawesi.

According to the latest reports, the death toll due to the disaster currently stands at 1,407 people.

Dr Wan Azizah said non-governmental organisations that need assistance to help out in Indonesia could approach the National Disaster Relief Fund.

She added that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also gave permission for the fund to be channelled to Indonesia to assist in the ongoing recovery effort.

“The fund is solely for catastrophe in the country; however, some exemptions are given this time around.

“The Cabinet has approved this so NGOs that need (logistics) help can apply and we will contribute from the fund,” she said at the launch of care for Sulawesi tsunami victims event here.

She said assistance from Mercy Malaysia and other NGOs were being coordinated with Indonesian authorities to ensure help was provided wherever needed.

Dr Wan Azizah also commended the NGOs for acting swiftly to help out with the disaster in the neighbouring country.

Earlier, in her speech, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, conveyed her condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the disaster and reiterated that Malaysia was committed to assist the best way it could.