President Tan, PM Lee Offer help, Condolences to Indonesia over Aceh Quake

Buildings collapsed in Aceh – Viva photo

 

 

Singapore, 08 Rabi’ul Awwal 1438/08 December 2016 (MINA) – The Republic’s leaders have offered their condolences and assistance to Indonesian President Joko Widodo after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia’s Aceh province on Wednesday (Dec 7), killing nearly 100 and injuring more than 500 others.

In his letter to Mr Widodo on Wednesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “Singapore stands ready to assist Indonesia in whatever way we can.”

On Wednesday night, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it would deploy two officers who will set off for Indonesia on Thursday and are expected to be there for a week, as part of a five-man Association of Southeast Asian Nations Emergency Response and Assessment Team.

According to todayonline.com, Mr Lee also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the quake and said he was saddened by the “tragic loss of lives and widespread damage” wrought by the earthquake.

In a separate letter, President Tony Tan Keng Yam also said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Indonesia during this difficult period.”

The Singapore Armed Forces had also extended help to the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

“For the present, Indonesian agencies are able to cope, but we stand ready to assist if needed,” Dr Ng said.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers for recovery go to the Indonesian families affected by this earthquake.” (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)