Malaysia will continue aid to Padang

PUTRAJAYA: The mission to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in Padang, Indonesia, will continue although some people in that country still have a negative perception of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

The deputy prime minister said the humanitarian aspect must be viewed separately and the current conflict should not be allowed to affect any good deeds by Malaysia for those in need.

"As announced by the prime minister, we will not send (aid) if there is no green light, permission from the Indonesian authorities.

"To a certain extent, (the Malaysian team) has helped ease the situation in Padang and this is viewed in the context of the good relations between the two governments and between the peoples in general.

"We will not look at one, two groups, meaning that we take a confrontational stand or retaliate. We're not like that. So, whatever aid from the humanitarian view point, as long as it is needed and has the approval of the Indonesian authorities, we will give and that is what we are doing first," he told reporters after visiting Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) here.