MALAYSIA TO GIVE US$1 MILLION TO PADANG QUAKE VICTIMS

PADANG, (Indonesia) Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will give US$1 million
in aid to earthquake victims here who were struck with the calamity on Sept 30.

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the aid was to rebuild schools,
places of worship and other infrastructure.

He said the decision was approved by the Cabinet and the aid will be
chanelled through the Foreign Ministry to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

"The focus is on rebuilding schools and places of worship as they are of
public use and can benefit the residents of Padang," Zahid told reporters after
visiting the earthquake site and being briefed by West Sumatra governor Gamawan
Fauzi here Sunday.

Besides the government aid, he said collections through disaster funds set
up by the media and non-governmental organisations estimated to total RM10
million (US$2.9 million) will also be chanelled to Padang earthquake victims.

Zahid said all the aid that was given by Malaysia to the people of Indonesia
was proof of the caring nature of the Malaysian government and its people
towards the plight of its close neighbour.

"Our care is sincere and not rhetoric or mere words. We hope the people of
Indonesia, especially in Padang, will also be sincere in receiving our help," he
said.
--BERNAMA