SINGAPORE - Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said those affected by the recent earthquake in Sabah should have some "meaningful recognition" at the South-east Asian Games held currently in Singapore from June 5-16.

Mr Tan, who is also the president of Singapore National Olympic Council, wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday, noting that "even as we support our sportsmen and women, I cannot help but think of those affected by the earthquake in Kinabalu".

He added that some of the psychologists from the ministry are in Sabah to support the affected families.

"Everyone is doing what they can. As a parent, I can't even fathom how to make sense of this if it were to happen to me," he wrote.

He has also urged all to "pray for them and to rally as a nation to provide them moral support. And to provide them space".

An announcement on a tribute will be made, he ended off in his Facebook note.