KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — Malaysia last night sent three military transport aircraft to Padang, Indonesia, to fly home some 300 students from the area devastated by yesterday evening’s 7.6-magnitude earthquake.
The Hercules transport aircraft lifted off from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang at 11.45pm, carrying 26 people including 11 media crew.
National Security Council secretary Datuk Mohamed Tajudeen Abdul Wahab who was at the base, said the aircraft were expected to return at about 5am today.
All three transporters made it back this morning, bringing home safely the 330 Malaysian students who had been without food since the earthquake struck. Government officials plan to house the returning students temporarily in Universiti Putra Malaysia.
The RMAF had been preparing for the mission soon after the earthquake struck West Sumatra, which claimed the lives on hundreds of people and damaged dozens of buildings.
“Bringing them home is the best option as it will be difficult for them to remain in Padang. Furthermore, all lectures have been cancelled,” deputy head of mission at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta, Amran Mohamed Zain, told Bernama in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Malaysia had conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims.
“Malaysia is deeply shocked and saddened over the loss of lives and the destruction caused,” Wisma Putra said in a statement.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono welcomed Malaysia and other countries to help provide emergency aid to victims. He hoped that in the spirit of Asean cooperation, the neighbouring countries could provide immediate aid to areas affected by the disaster. Mercy Malaysia has sent two of its personnel to assess the aid needed.
“A sum of RM100,000 has been made available from our emergency relief fund as an immediate response to the disaster,” Mercy Malaysia said in a statement.
The Meteorology Department said aftershocks from the powerful earthquake were expected to occur for a few days more. The department, however, reminded the public not to be unduly worried as the aftershocks were becoming weaker.
An aftershock measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale was recorded at 9.53am yesterday, causing tremors in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. — Bernama
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