It was reported by the New Straits Times on Thursday that Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has decided to increase the Malaysian assistance after a cabinet meeting chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad on Wednesday.
Previously, Ismail announced that Malaysia would contribute M$500 thousand from the National Disaster Fund to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu and Donggala on Friday (Sept 28).
"The Minister of Finance has agreed to add a donation of M$500 thousand to the victims," she added.
Although the funds were used to overcome the impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, the cabinet agreed that some of the funds could be allocated to help victims in Central Sulawesi, she noted.
"If an NGO needs logistical assistance, we will enable it to use the existing budget allocation," Ismail remarked when launching the Sulawesi Tsunami Victim Assistance at The Grand Hall, Lukut.
Ismail, who is also the Minister of Women`s Families and Community Development, revealed that Malaysia was increasing the aid because of the friendly relations between the two countries.
"I understand that the death toll has reached 1,407 people and that number will continue to increase. According to UN reports, almost 200 thousand people were affected, with tens of thousands of victims being children," she explained.
Reporting by Agus Setiawan
Editing by Andi Abdussalam, Yoseph Hariyadi
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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