KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced a special allowance to the Malaysian team that has been helping Turkiye with its ongoing search-and-rescue operation following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake two weeks ago.
He said the allowance was a gesture of appreciation for the team’s hard work.
“After I witnessed the tireless work put in by the team, I wanted to convey this in Parliament so that all MPs can offer their appreciation.
“How do we add to this appreciation? I will ensure that those who are involved in the rescue efforts will be awarded a certificate of appreciation, medal of service and I propose that a special allowance be arranged for those who have served in the team for close to two weeks now,” Anwar who is also finance minister the Dewan Rakyat after returning from his visit to Turkiye early this morning.
He added that he has also agreed to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s request for the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to extend their stay there to continue the search for survivors.
“Actually the duration of SMART is only two weeks, but in my discussion with President Erdogan, he has requested that if it’s possible we continue as there are too many victims still buried and need our help.
“So I have agreed to let them continue,” Anwar told Parliament.
He added that not a single one of the SMART personnel he spoke with had any complaints.
Malaysia has so far deployed 140 SMART personnel at ground zero and 110 personnel are at the field hospital in Adiyaman.
“As for Ops Syria, the government has deployed a 21-person delegation led by the deputy secretary-general consisting of various agencies and non-governmental organisations.
“Two more Malaysian Armed Forces aircraft will be deployed to Syria for this aid mission which will depart on Saturday, February 18, 10pm,” Anwar said.
The flight is expected to arrive in Damascus on Sunday 10am (local time).
