MALAYSIAN PM CONVEYS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF HAITI QUAKE VICTIMS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak Friday conveyed
his condolences to the families of Haiti's earthquake victims.

"I learnt with great sadness of the news of the devastating earthquake that
struck Haiti on Jan 12, 2010," he said in his condolence message to Prime
Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.

He said on behalf of Malaysia, he would like to extend his deepest
condolences and profound sympathy to the families of the victims.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the government and people of Haiti and I
am confident that the resilience and determination of the Haitian people will
once again prevail in overcoming the aftermath of this devastation," he said.

Najib also extended his condolences to United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki Moon for the loss of lives of several UN peacekeepers and personnel in the
tragedy.

The Haitian Red Cross believed that 45,000 to 50,000 people had died and
that three million more were hurt or left homeless.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, in his condolence message said he
hoped for the immediate rescue and recovery of the victims still trapped in the
aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

A statement issued by Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) said the Malaysian
embassy in Havana, Cuba had confirmed that all three Malaysians in Haiti were
safe and there were no record of other Malaysians in the country.

However, the ministry and embassy would continue to monitor the situation in
Port-au-Prince closely and issue reports accordingly, it said.

The Haitian government is currently facing a humanitarian crisis as a result
of the catastrophic earthquake.

"The government of Malaysia is currently finalising the details of
humanitarian assistance to be extended to Haiti as soon as possible, taking into
consideration the request for urgent international humanitarian assistance and
aid," the statement said.
-- BERNAMA