PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, has been monitoring the search and rescue efforts following the earthquake that struck Mount Kinabalu.
In a tweet posted on the Prime Minister's official account @NajibRazak, on Sunday, Datuk Seri Najib assured the public that although he is away in Jeddah, he was still overseeing the situation in Sabah.
He added that special prayers will be carried out later in the evening.
"Wpun berada di Jeddah atas urusan rasmi, saya tetap memantau usaha2 menyelamat& bantuan di Negeri Sabah menerusi menteri2, MKN & agensi krjn (Although I am in Jeddah on official business, I am monitoring the SAR mission in Sabah through Ministers, the National Security Council and Governmental agencies)," he tweeted.
"Insyallah, bersama-sama dengan mereka yg ada di sini, Solat Hajat akan diadakan malam ini. Moga Allah SWT memelihara rakyat Malaysia. (Insyallah, Hajat prayers will be carried out tonight along with those who are here. May Allah SWT protect Malaysians)," he tweeted.
In a blog entry also posted on Sunday, Mr Najib expressed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the earthquake.
"I assure you that every effort is being made by government agencies to seek and save all who are still stranded in mountainous areas. I convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the earthquake in Sabah," Mr Najib wrote on www.najibrazak.com.
He added that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin, who is also National Disaster Management Chairman was in Sabah to monitor the situation and administer its operations there.
"A total of 23 school buildings and infrastructure such as roads were damaged by the earthquake. The federal and state governments will monitor, prepare a report and take immediate action to ensure that all this is rectified as soon as possible for the convenience of the public, especially students in Sabah," he said.
"We are thankful to all who helped in search efforts, particularly the mountain guides who have sacrificed a lot to help the earthquake victims," he said.
Mr Najib is on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia accompanied by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.
The delegation is scheduled to perform the umrah together.
Mr Najib's working visit to the country is on the invitation of the Saudi king Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud.
