M'SIA, UAE SEE EYE TO EYE ON EFFORTS TO AID GAZA

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have
concurred on the need for the establishment of a mechanism among Muslim
countries to deliver aid to Palestinians, especially those in Gaza Strip, an
area devastated by the recent Israeli bombardment.

The matter was discussed at a meeting between visiting Malaysian Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in Zabeel Palace, here Thursday.

"We share the view that rival Hamas and Fatah factions need to patch up
their differences to facilitate efforts to deliver aid and humanitarian supplies
to Palestinians," he told a news conference.

The talks were held in conjunction with Abdullah's two-day visit to this
Gulf nation, the final stop of his Middle East tour which had taken him to
Bahrain and Qatar.

According to him, it would be easier to give financial aid to the suffering
Palestinians who could use the money to buy medicines, food and other supplies.

Abdullah said Malaysia would decide later on how best it could contribute
towards the reconstruction of war-wrecked Gaza.

"When we've collected all donations from the various campaigns launched in
our country to help the Palestinians, only then the government will decide how
to use the money to aid Palestine," he said.

The Malaysian leader said he had wide-ranging talks with Sheikh Mohammed
that included efforts to further expand cooperation between Malaysia and UAE as
well as the effects of the current economic slowdown.

"He believed that development efforts must continue despite the economic
slowdown," Abdullah said, adding that he pointed out to Sheikh Mohammed, who is
also UAE vice-president and ruler of Dubai, that Malaysia was not in recession.

"Malaysia will take all necessary measures to ensure that our economic
growth remains positive," he said.

Abdullah said Muslim countries like Malaysia and UAE would need to
emphasise on Islamic banking as a means to weather the current financial
meltdown.

Their discussions also touched on the need to give serious attention to
agriculture to ensure sufficient food supply for the people.

Abdullah also thanked Sheikh Mohammed for the opportunites given to
Malaysian firms in construction and real estate as well other sectors in the
UAE.

"I also expressed my appreciation for investments made by Dubai-based
companies in Iskandar Malaysia development corridor," he said, expressing hope
that this would continue.

Abdullah also invited Sheikh Mohammed to visit Malaysia.

On another matter, the prime minister expressed sadness over the demise of
veteran MIC politician Tan Sri Ubaidulla Kadir Basha on Thursday.

Ubaidulla, who was in his 90s, was the former chairman of the Ubadi
Foundation and has been a member of the MIC since it was founded in 1946. He was
the former permanent chairman of MIC.

"He was a leader who had always strived to ensure racial harmony in the
country and supported efforts that could lead to this goal," he said, adding
that he played his role in ensuring cooperation and understanding among the
component parties in Barisan Nasional.

Barisan Nasional (BN) or National Front is a major political coalition in
Malaysia, and has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence.

-- BERNAMA