Indonesian Students In Malaysia Affected By Sumatra Disaster To Each Receive RM500 Contribution

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will channel a contribution of RM500 each as a start to Indonesian students who are studying in Malaysia and have been affected by the floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

The Prime Minister's Office, in a statement, announced that the contribution is also a gesture of goodwill and friendship between the two neighbouring countries that share family ties.

“Indonesian students in Malaysia who are affected can register with their respective educational institutions to enable assistance to be coordinated and channelled according to their needs.

“Malaysia expresses its sympathy and condolences to the Government of Indonesia and all its people for the disaster that befell Aceh and North Sumatra, and stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are going through this difficult time,” the statement said.

Previously, the media reported that devastating floods and landslides hit three provinces in Sumatra, namely Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, at the end of November after prolonged heavy rains.

Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that as of Dec 10, the death toll from the disaster had reached 969 people, while 252 were still missing. The disaster damaged at least 158,000 houses in 52 affected provinces.

-- BERNAMA