SUNGAI PETANI: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced an immediate aid of RM1,000 each for the families of those who died in the aftermath of the tsunami that hit the west coast states of Malaysia on Sunday.The Deputy Prime Minister said the money would be disbursed Monday or today (Tuesday) at the latest.
Najib, who is also Chairman of the National Disaster Relief and Management Committee, also announced immediate aid for the victims who had to evacuate their homes but the amount would be decided late Monday afternoon.
Aid in kind would also be given the affected after an assessment had been made, he said at a briefing on the disaster in Kampung Tepi Sungai, near here.
At least 45 people were killed and hundreds injured and missing in the aftermath of the tsunami which was triggered by an 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Sunday. The affected states were Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis.
Najib said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is overseas, had directed that immediate action be taken to help the victims.
After receiving the Prime Minister's instruction, he discussed the matter with Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and they decided on the immediate aid, he said.
He advised the victims to remain in the evacuation centres for a few more days until it was confirmed that there were no more aftershocks in Acheh, Sumatra.
"I've been informed that quakes measuring between 5 and 5.5 on the Richter scale are still occurring in Sumatra. The Government fears that a second tidal wave may occur," he said.
Najib thanked and congratulated the Kedah and Penang state governments and their agencies for their swift response and efficiency in carrying out search and rescue operations and opening evacuation centres for the victims.
He was briefed on the situation in Kedah by state Public Order and Traffic Department chief Supt Lee Shuan Fat. He also visited the disaster area in Kampung Tepi Sungai and the evacuation centre here.- Bernama
