MALAYSIA PLEDGES RM10 MLN IN HUMANITARIAN AID FOR EARTHQUAKE-HIT MYANMAR

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has pledged an initial sum of RM10 million in humanitarian aid to support the people of Myanmar who are affected by Friday's devastating earthquake, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said as a sign of Malaysia's responsibility and solidarity as the ASEAN 2025 Chair, he had instructed Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to lead a humanitarian mission to Myanmar next week.

"The visit is to reaffirm Malaysia’s support for the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Teams from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) have been deployed and are now operating on the ground --standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow responders at the frontline of rescue and relief operations,” he said in a statement today.

Fifty officers and personnel from the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) under NADMA left for Naypyidaw, Myanmar, this morning to join in the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the earthquake victims.

Anwar stressed that the spirit of togetherness and collective action among ASEAN member countries is crucial to handling such humanitarian situations.

"ASEAN’s duty to protect the well-being of its people must be met with swift, coordinated and purposeful action,” he added.

He said Malaysia would continue to discuss and cooperate closely with its ASEAN partners to coordinate aid for Myanmar to ensure every effort brings the desired impact for the victims.

"Malaysia remains unwavering in its commitment to regional unity and to advancing ASEAN’s humanitarian agenda -- grounded in compassion, shared responsibility and solidarity,” he said.

The magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar, with Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeast Shan state, Sagaing and Naypyidaw being among the worst hit regions. The tremors also rattled neighbouring countries, including Thailand.

More than 1,600 people have been confirmed killed in Myanmar, while in Bangkok, a 12th body was recovered late on Saturday evening from the site of a collapsed high-rise. 

-- BERNAMA