KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today told the Dewan Rakyat the reasons why Malaysia is sending considerable aid to quake-hit Turkiye.
"There are quarters who are questioning why Malaysia is taking this step and some have described it as 'excessive'.
"First, there is unprecedented large-scale damage, apart from the (destruction from) the (2004) tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia.
"Secondly, we enjoy a special friendship, not just personally, but between both countries.
"And thirdly, Turkiye before this has provided direct and indirect assistance to several of our initiatives, amounting to millions of ringgit, and this rarely happens in bilateral ties with other nations," he said.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government was donating US$1 million to Turkiye.
He said he would propose additional funding for the country at the cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Malaysia has sent RM50 million to Turkiye, he said, adding that this was a figure to be proud of.
The biggest contributor was Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, which donated €5 million.
Yayasan Albukhary gave RM10 million, and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia gave US$1 million.
Anwar said Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was one of the earliest donors. He gave US$1 million.
Other corporations and bodies that donated funds included YTL Corporation, Yayasan Sime Darby, Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association, Indian Muslim non-governmental organisations, and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd.