PUTRAJAYA, Nov 28 — The Malaysian government expressed its appreciation to Thailand for the assistance given to Malaysian citizens stranded due to the floods in Hat Yai.
Communications Minister cum Madani government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his appreciation during the Cabinet meeting today.
"The Prime Minister thanked the Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for the assistance in prioritising Malaysian citizens in the efforts to rescue those stranded in Hat Yai," he said during a press conference after the meeting.
Fahmi added that the government also expressed its appreciation to the country's police force for working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police to assist Malaysian citizens affected by the floods in southern Thailand.
"The police forces of both countries have a good relationship, and on that front, several efforts are underway," he said.
Earlier, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (Wisma Putra) announced that a large-scale rescue operation had been carried out to evacuate 1,459 stranded Malaysian citizens, with assistance from the Royal Thai Army.
Fewer than 300 Malaysian citizens are still stranded in several locations, while two hotels identified as accommodation for Malaysians are still inaccessible due to high water levels, and rescue operations continued today.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said Anwar also extended condolences over the high-rise residential complex fire incident in Hong Kong, which has so far claimed more than 70 lives.
The death toll from the massive fire rose to 75, with about 70 others injured and around 200 still unaccounted for more than a day after the incident, according to the local authorities yesterday.
