HUMANITARIAN AID CARGO ARRIVES SAFELY IN GAZA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The humanitarian aid cargo of sewage
pipes and joints arrived safely in Gaza via Karem Shalom on Tuesday after
departing from El Arish Port on July 10.

According to a statement from Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) here
Friday, the 32-tonne cargo was unloaded from the Spirit of Rachel Corrie, the MV
Finch, on July 6 into nine trucks, seven carrying sewage pipes and two carrying
joint components.

The convoy of trucks was then escorted by two Egyption Army armoured
personnel carriers (APC) to El Ouja at the Israeli border before the cargo was
transferred to trailers sponsored by the Palestinian Authority and accompanied
by the Palestinian Red Cresent, the statement said.

The Spirit of Rachel Corrie cargo ship left the Port of Piraeus, Greece on
May 11 carrying UPVC (plastic) sewage pipes and joints to help restore the 7.5km
sewage system devastated during the 'Operation Cast Lead' bombings by Israelis
on Gaza from Dec 27, 2008 to Jan 18, 2009.

The ship was then allowed to berth at El Arish Port on July 5, after the
impasse ended when PGPF president Dr Mahathir Mohamad met Egyptian Prime
Minister Dr Essam Sharaf in Cairo.

PGPF expressed its deepest appreciation to the Foreign Ministry and
Malaysian embassies in Egypt and Jordan for their assistance and cooperation
throughout the ordeal.