KUCHING: The contribution of RM1 million and offer of logistics assistance by the Sarawak state government to Sabah in the wake of last Friday’s earthquake reflects the closeness of Sarawak to its neighbour Sabah, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.
In fact, added the Assistant Minister of Youth Development when extending his heartfelt condolences to the Sabah earthquake victims yesterday, the two states were like twin brothers.
“Any pain that one incurs would be felt by the other brother. Our heartfelt condolence to the victims of the Sabah earthquake,” Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said when contacted yesterday.
The Asajaya assemblyman was commenting on the state government’s gesture in donating RM1 million and offering logistics assistance to Sabah on Monday.
Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan represented the state government in paying a courtesy call on Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman to convey sympathy to Sabah in relation to the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that had so far claimed 18 lives.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in his Facebook posting said Sarawak sympathised with what happened in the neighbouring state and hoped the affected families would be patient in facing the tragedy.
Adenan’s chief political secretary Abdullah Saidol said the chief minister’s decision to assist Sabah was not just a diplomatic act but also represented his natural gesture as a caring person.
“I believe all Sarawakians being historically close in so many ways with our neighbour Sabah share similar feeling of concern and sympathy.”
Meanwhile, Bukit Kota assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail saluted the chief minister for showing his concern to the earthquake victims in Sabah.
“This is not the first time that he has shown his concern…We remember that he also contributed to the flood victims in Peninsular Malaysia late last year.”
He hoped Sarawakians would emulate the exemplary attitude shown by the chief minister by giving assistance in whatever ways to disaster victims, including to the Kanowit longhouse fire victims.
Daro assemblyman Murni Suhaili said the people should appreciate the effort by the state government under Adenan’s leadership to help the needy, including those affected by the earthquake in Sabah.