October 06, 2009 15:55 PM

MAF Medical Team To Continue Helping Earthquake Victims In Padang

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) medical team which is now in Padang will continue to provide medical aid to the earthquake victims although the search for survivors has been called off by the Indonesian authorities.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the 70-member team including 53 medical personnel would treat and perform surgery on injured victims.

"Although Jakarta has issued a directive to call off the search operation, our medical team will stay on in Padang to help those who survived the earthquake," he told reporters after opening the Asia-Pacific Conference on Defence and Security Technology, here, Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid said the MAF medical team included surgeons and orthopaedic specialists, and the team had brought along complete military medical equipment to provide whatever medical aid within its means.

"However, we are unable to ascertain now how long they will be there although the search operation has stopped," he said.

On the incident where some local residents threw stones at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft which had brought rescuers and aid for the earthquake victims, Ahmad Zahid said it was not the policy of the Indonesian administration.

He said the act was committed by a group of mischievous children who got trapped in the anti-Malaysia sentiments sowed by the Indonesian media over a number of controversial issues such as the Balinese pendet dance.

"We are giving aid to the earthquake victims with all sincerity. We gave them 'madu' honey, but they gave us 'tuba' (poison) in return. We say thank you to this naughty children. We are helping the victims out of sympathy and there's no other agenda. Indonesia is our neighbour, with its people having cultural and blood ties with us," he said.

Media reports on Tuesday said rescue workers had stopped searching for survivors from among the collapsed buildings and rubble, and instead were now focusing on helping victims scattered in the towns and hillside villages although heavy rain was hampering the effort.

Thousands were said to be missing after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale hit West Sumatra last Wednesday.

-- BERNAMA

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