Extend aid to Japan victims, Malaysians urged

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak called on Malaysians to extend material and moral support to the people of Japan whose lives have taken a dramatic turn following the March 11 earthquake.

In tabling a motion in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the Prime Minister also called on the international community to continue extending assistance and humanitarian aid. Najib said the calamities in Japan had saddened not only Malaysians but also people from all corners of the world.

“Malaysia, which enjoys a very close relationship with Japan, can feel the difficulties faced by the people. However, the burden is much heavier on the shoulders of those who have to bear it. “It is only appropriate for Malaysia to offer any form of assistance it can afford to Japan, whom we regard as our close friend,” he said.

A 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan’s northeast coast on March 11, unleashing waves which killed thousands of people.The disasters were described by Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan as “the worst catastrophe since World War II”.

Najib also told the Dewan that Malaysia was touched by the Japanese government’s deep appreciation over the humanitarian assistance offered to them. “Japan has helped Malaysia achieve progress and development and it is only right that our people extend humanitarian assistance to them,” he said.

The Malaysian embassy in Tokyo, he said, had set up an operations room to contact Malaysians in Japan. “There are 5,009 Malaysians registered with the embassy and thankfully, all those who have been contacted are safe.”

He said Malaysians placed at evacuation centres had received adequate water and food.In adopting the motion later, the MPs observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims.