Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has pledged an initial sum of RM10 million in humanitarian aid to support the people of Myanmar who are affected by Friday’s devastating earthquake, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister stated that as a sign of Malaysia’s responsibility and solidarity as the ASEAN 2025 Chair, he had instructed Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to lead a humanitarian mission to Myanmar next week.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the visit aims to reaffirm Malaysia’s support for the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Teams from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) have been deployed and are now operating on the ground, working alongside fellow responders at the frontline of rescue and relief operations. Fifty officers and personnel from the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) under NADMA left for Naypyidaw, Myanmar, this morning to join in the search and rescue operations for the earthquake victims.

Anwar emphasized the importance of togetherness and collective action among ASEAN member countries in handling such humanitarian situations. He highlighted that ASEAN’s duty to protect the well-being of its people must be met with swift, coordinated, and purposeful action. Malaysia plans to continue discussions and cooperation with ASEAN partners to coordinate aid for Myanmar, ensuring that all efforts achieve the desired impact for the victims.

The magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar, severely affecting regions such as Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeast Shan state, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw. The tremors were also felt in neighboring countries, including Thailand. More than 1,600 people have been confirmed killed in Myanmar, and in Bangkok, a 12th body was recovered late on Saturday evening from the site of a collapsed high-rise.