The Malaysian government is ready to provide humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people who are now suffering as a result of the US-led attacks in their country, the Bernama news agency reported today.
The form of aid would be decided later, it quoted Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak as saying in Pahang.

"The government has decided to provide humanitarian assistance and contributions from Malaysians are welcome."

"We will decide whether the aid should be in the form of cash or goods and we must also think of ways of sending the goods over as present circumstances prevent us from entering Iraq," he said.

Donate through funds

Najib said Malaysians wishing to donate could do so through the various funds that had been set up such as that organised by Peace Malaysia and so o­n.

On the RMAF mission to evacuate Malaysians from West Asia, Najib said the three C-130 Hercules Transport planes were still waiting approval from Saudi Arabia for use of its airspace to fly to Kuwait and Bahrain.

"Our planes are waiting for approval from the Saudi Arabian government to fly to Kuwait and Bahrain and according to the original schedule o­ne of the C-130 planes will fly to Kuwait and Bahrain if permission is given."

"Two more planes are being arranged for other places if permission is given...," Najib said.

He said the US-led attack o­n Iraq should serve as a lesson to Malaysians particularly Muslims.

"If we are not united we can become tools of others and also oppressed by the big powers," the minister warned.