MIRI: The State is monitoring closely the situation on the earthquake development in New Zealand’s second-largest city of Christchurch, to ascertain whether there are any Sarawakians affected.
Deputy Chief Minister and State Chairman for the Natural Disaster and Relief Committee, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the state is liaising with the Wisma Putra, the Ministry of Higher Education and also parents as well as relatives of those staying or visiting New Zealand.
“At the moment (5pm Local Time) I have yet to receive reports of Malaysians affected by the earthquake,” said Dr Chan in a telephone interview yesterday.
He assured that they would continue to monitor the situation and get in touch with Wisma Putra, Ministry of Higher Education and even other sources such as parents whose children are studying in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department and Minister in-charge of Education Datin Fatimah Abdullah also said that her ministry is in contact with Wisma Putra to ascertain the number of students involved.
“We are still waiting for reports from Wisma Putra in Kuala Lumpur to get information from the students council’s in New Zealand,” she added.
“As of now, I haven’t got the real picture. However, I contacted my daughter Ida who is studying in North Island, New Zealand which is on the other island away from Christchurch. Ida said she is safe, so are some of her friends that she got in touch with in South Island,” Fatimah said.
Deputy Foreign Minister, Datuk Richard Riot could not be reached for comments as he was reported to be in Jakarta for an official duty.