MALAYSIA CHANNELS THREE TYPES OF ASSISTANCE TO INDONESIA - PM

PEKAN (Malaysia), Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak said
Malaysia is channelling three types of assistance to earthquake-hit West
Sumatra, Indonesia.

The assistance provided were in terms of search and rescue, medical relief
and humanitarian aid, he said.

"I've spoken to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono through the telephone
late Friday night and conveyed the government and the Malaysian people's
condolences on the tragedy in Padang," he told reporters after handing over
donation to 161 haj pilgrims from Pekan parliamentary area Saturday.

Najib said that the Malaysian Search and Rescue Team (Smart) with 39 members
had left for Padang to assist in the search and rescue efforts for victims who
were trapped in rubbles following last Wednesday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake.

He said that there was also a medical team sent to the capital of West
Sumatra comprising officers from the armed forces medical corps, Health Ministry
and non-governmental organisation, Mercy Malaysia.

"I've also asked the armed forces to prepare a unit of field hospital there
asI was told that there will be a lot of surgeries need to be done.

"We will sent them Sunday. The first team (sent Satiurday) will also monitor
the situation and the type of assistance needed, including in terms of water
supply and medicines.

"We may sent more personnel in stages," he said.

On the humanitarian aid, Najib said, it would be in cash and kind and that
the amount was being determined.

He said that the first team was sent under the emergency relief mission of
the National Security Council.

On his conversation with Susilo, Najib said he conveyed Malaysia's
preparedness to provide assistance to Indonesia in facing the disaster.

"I said that the Malaysian government and people are ready to assist the
victims and SBY (President Susilo) said Indonesia welcomes the assistance from
Malaysia and its people," he said.

Earlier, when speaking at the event, Najib said he hoped that haj pilgrims
would pray for Malaysia while they were in Mecca.

"In Malaysia we should be thankful that we only felt the tremors from the
earthquake in Indonesia," he said.
-- BERNAMA