Singapore Government Sends Letter of Appreciation to Malaysia: PM Najib

KUNDASANG (Sabah, Malaysia), June 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (second left) said his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong has sent a letter expressing the republic's appreciation on Malaysia's efforts in assisting Singapore nationals who were victims of the earthquake in east Malaysian state, Sabah. Najib said he had also sent a letter to the Singapore prime minister to convey the sadness and condolences of the Malaysian people on the tragedy befalling the Singaporean nationals who were victims of the quake while visiting Kundasang, Ranau, Sabah. "...letter from Singapore prime minister expressed gratitude to the federal and state government for the aid and assistance provided to the quake victims," he said in his speech when delivering aid to the victims and next-of-kin, here Tuesday. Meanwhile, Najib said he had shortened his trip to Saudi Arabia to enable him to visit Sabah and observe the effects of the earthquake that hit the state. "I had intended to come earlier after learning about the earthquake on June 5 but because the following day (June 6) was the birthday of the Malaysia's King and later had to make an official visit to Saudi Arabia. "This morning, I decided, although there is a meeting with the menteris besar and chief miisters, I had postponed the meeting so that I could come to Ranau. I want to state that in hard or good times, the federal government will always be with the people of Sabah," he said. Besides being given a briefing on the latest situation on the earthquake in Sabah, he also had the opportunity to visit the quarters of the Ranau District Police Headquarters (IPD) to look at the destruction suffered by the premises and visit the occupants of the police quarters who had set up tents at the grounds of the IPD. Earlier, Najib and Sabah chief minister Musa Aman (left) and defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein, deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan arrived at the Ranau town field at about 11.45am. --BERNAMA