The Special Malaysia Disaster and Rescue Team (Smart) stands ready to help with Japan’s rescue and recovery efforts, after the country closed its door to foreign rescue teams for the time being.

At a briefing yesterday, the Japanese Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur had explained that resources were inadequate to accommodate foreign rescue teams that are not familiar with the local situation.

Contacted today, an officer with the Royal Malaysian Air Force confirmed the matter.

“Japan is ubus accident in bukit gantang 130807 rescuenable to cater to all foreign rescue teams, in managing us during our intended stay,” said the officer who declined to be identified.

“With many countries willing to help and coming to help all at the same time, it would only burden them further.”Another challenge, said the officer, is that a curfew has been imposed on everyone, including rescue teams.

“It would be hard, difficult and impossible (for us to operate when) we are trying to help save lives,” he explained.

The Smart team will now wait to hear from Japan as to whether its services are required.

‘Cartoon’ theory dismissed

Asked if Japan had refused Malaysian’s offer of help because of a cartoon published by the Berita Minggu, he replied that this was just speculation.

Last Sunday, the Malay-language daily had published a cartoon of Ultraman Taro (a Japanese super-hero) running away from a tsunami wave.

Asked about Malaysians foreign minister anifah amanstill in Japan, the officer replied: “We are waiting for the prime minister’s orders. We are prepared 24 hours a day, all year round to bring our rakyat back without hesitation...for now, we are on standby to bring them home.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman (right) has announced that the government has no immediate plans to evacuate citizens in Japan, and is monitoring the situation very closely.

Japan was hit by its most powerful earthquake yet, with a magnitude of  9, on March 11.

A deadly tsunami then crashed into the northeast coast, leaving some 10,000 people dead. Many more are missing or injured, while there is growing fear of radiation leaks from damaged nuclear power plants.

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