JAPAN'S COMPOSURE IN THE FACE OF DISASTER INSPIRATIONAL - CROWN PRINCE

IPOH (Malaysia), March 28 (Bernama) -- Crown Price of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, praised the Japanese people Sunday, saying their strength, perseverance and duty to the community in the face of the catastrophe brought by the recent earthquake and tsunami was inspirational.

"The world is now 'looking east' once again," he said, "this time, not at Japan's development and technological expertise, but at the heart and soul of the Japanese people."

"In the face of great catastrophe, Japan is no less an inspiration to the world," he said at the handing over of donations for the NSTP-Media Prima Disaster Fund to assist the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan, here.

"The Japanese people have shown that man can conquer his basic survival instincts for the greater good of society. They have displayed the fortitude, the composure, the dignity and the generosity that have so defined their culture," he said.

Raja Dr Nazrin said the world can see how the people in the affected prefectures did not hesitate to help others even when their own homes had been destroyed and their belongings washed away.

"While they had every reason to shed tears, they did so with restraint. It was more in their nature to maintain composure and remain courteous.

"Able-bodied men and women carried supplies to victims and gave up their own food rations to feed families with children and elderly members," he said.

He added that although there were 500,000 evacuees, there was no rushing, rioting and clamouring.

"The calm of those waiting in kilometre-long lines to receive food, water and fuel, defied the temper and fury of the quake that shook the ground. Their warmth towards each other defied the freezing weather they had to endure," he said.

The Raja Muda of Perak also conveyed the sympathy of Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah and Queen of Perak Raja Permaisuri Bainun and the people of Perak to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and the Japanese people for the March 11 tragedy.

Over RM600,000 in donations were presented at the event, from various parties, including from the Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation, Perak state government, Sunway Group and KL-Kepong which contributed RM100,000 (US$1=RM3.03) each as well as the Perak Horse Racing Club, which contributed RM50,000.

NSTP chairman Mohamed Jawhar Hassan received the donations at the
Perak Menteri Besar residence.