M’sians in Japan not affected by quake, aircraft mishap, says Tok Mat

PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan verified that none of the Malaysians residing in Japan were affected by the earthquake in the Niigata prefecture and the aircraft mishap at the Haneda Airport which occurred this week.

Mohamad said he is in close contact with the Japanese Embassy here and his counterpart in Japan to obtain the latest updates on the two incidents.

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“There were no Malaysians onboard the plane that caught fire at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo, and (although) there are Malaysians, including students, residing in the areas affected by the earthquake, they are not affected and are all safe,” he added.

He told reporters this after the handing over of Malaysian traditional costumes under the “Cultural Diplomacy Initiative To Strengthen National Arts, Culture, And Heritage Activities” programme, which was also attended by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing here Thursday (Jan 4).

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Mohamad also said Malaysia is prepared to offer its assistance if needed by Japan.

At about 6 pm local time on Tuesday (Jan 2), Japan Airlines flight JAL 516 from Hokkaido collided with a Coast Guard aircraft, MA-722, while landing at the Haneda Airport, causing both aircraft to catch fire.

Five of the six crew onboard the Coast Guard aircraft were killed, while the captain sustained serious injuries.

The Coast Guard airplane was transporting relief goods to the earthquake-hit areas in Niigata Prefecture after a series of tremors of up to 7.6 on the Richter scale struck central Japan on Monday (Jan 1) evening.

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The earthquake triggered a tsunami wave of more than 1m, causing the collapse of buildings, major fires in ports, and damaging roads.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the death toll from the earthquake rose to 78 as of Thursday morning.

At the event, Tiong handed over 20 sets of traditional costumes of various ethnicities in the country for distribution to 20 strategic Malaysian Representative Offices abroad.

This is the second handing over, with the first held on Jan 27, 2022.

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Tiong said the presentation of the traditional costume is part of Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s efforts to enhance the understanding and role of Malaysian ambassadors abroad in promoting local arts and culture, as well as strengthening collaboration with international cultural organisations.

“This cross-cultural collaboration aims to create synergistic opportunities by attracting active engagement from the private sector, non-profit organisations, and communities, as well as collaboration between government ministries and departments towards the development and sustainability of art, culture, and heritage,” he said. – BK