Thursday, December 30, 2004

Malaysian Government cancels all new year celebrations

SUNGAI PETANI: The Government will cancel all celebrations to usher in the New Year and replace it with conduct prayer sessions to console those affected by the tsunami disaster.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had directed all the respective states to cancel all such celebrations.

"We are going through hard times now, with hundreds of people affected by the disaster," he said.

"There are many who have been rendered become homeless in one the biggest tragedies the country has encountered and this is not the time for us to be happy ushering in the New Year," he said.

He said people should instead, pray for the welfare of the affected victims.

"We need to pray so that God gives the affected victims strength patience to endure the hardship they are going through now," he said.

Abdullah said he wanted all mosques in the country to focus on prayers for those affected by the tidal waves at their Friday sermons tomorrow.

"We pray that the affected victims gather courage to accept the tragedy and find ways to go through the ordeal with the support from all quarters," he said at Kota Kuala Muda, near here, Wednesday.

"This should be our prayers during New Year's Eve. Non-Muslims can also conduct similar prayers."

He was addressing relief workers and officers after a briefing on the effects of the tsunami in Kedah at the police operations centre at Kampung Kepala Jalan at Kota Kuala Muda.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Government had decided to pay an additional RM2,000 to families whose people whose houses were partially damaged by the tidal waves and RM5,000 for those whose homes were completely destroyed.

He said the Government would also give RM1,000 to those whose boats were partially damaged in the natural disaster and RM3,000 to owners whose boats were completely destroyed.

"There are also kind Malaysians who have started donating money to help the affected victims," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced on Tuesday that the Government would give RM1,000 each to those families who had lost their loved ones and RM200 each to those who had sustained injuries.

He had said families who had to evacuate would get RM200 each and the aid would be paid out immediately

Commending the local newspapers for launching various relief funds to help the affected victims, Abdullah said the concern shown by Malaysians was praiseworthy as this was a time when those affected by the disaster needed help.

"It is not only during Hari Raya or other celebrations that we should come together, but we should also rise to the occasion during tragedies," he said.

Abdullah however cautioned donors against handing over when giving donations directly to people they believed were affected by the tragedy.

"I received a written complaint from someone today that people who were not affected by the tragedy were also receiving donations," he said.

"I am not complaining about the donors but there are people who may take advantage and appeal for donations. So, my advice to donors is to channel donations to the Government's Natural Disaster committee, so that the financial aid is fairly distributed to the needy ones," he said.

Abdullah later visited the affected villages in Kota Kuala Muda and relief centres at SK Haji Sulaiman and SK Kota Kuala Muda.

Among those accompanying him were his Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain, Information Minister Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz

If you have any real-life experience to share on this earthquake, please mail to newsdesk@thestar.com.my

Earlier updates here

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