JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has donated US$1mil (RM4.3mil) to Turkiye and Syria following a devastating earthquake, which hit the two countries.
In a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page, the Ruler consented to donate the amount to both the Turkiye and Syria governments.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the donation made by Sultan Ibrahim during a press conference held in Putrajaya earlier today (Feb 8),” it said.
Meanwhile, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi expressed condolences to both Turkiye and Syria over the tragic incident, which have resulted in thousands of deaths.
“The state government conveys our deepest condolences to the people of Turkiye and Syria following the devastating earthquake that resulted in the deaths of many of our brothers and sisters.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in these trying times,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, Anwar said a second Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance Rescue Team (SMART) would be dispatched to assist in rescue operations in the earthquake-hit southern Turkiye.
He said a 70-man team comprising those from Nadma (National Disaster Management Agency), the Civil Defence Force, and the Fire and Rescue Department will leave on Wednesday (Feb 8) night.
“The government of Turkiye had requested for another team to be sent as they are happy with the assistance given by the SMART team which we had dispatched earlier,” he said on Wednesday after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Malaysia had sent a 70-member team on Monday (Feb 6) night to Turkiye, including a medical team from the Royal Medical Corps, and the Fire and Rescue Department’s K9 unit.
The Prime Minister also announced that Malaysia would give US$1mil as aid to the people of Turkiye and Syria affected by the earthquake.
He said Sultan Ibrahim had also consented to contribute US$1mil to help the earthquake victims.
“We hope our assistance and contribution will help ease the pain and difficulties faced by the people in Turkiye and Syria who have been affected by the earthquake,” said Anwar.