PUTRAJAYA has agreed to donate an additional RM500,000 to tsunami and earthquake victims in central Sulawesi, making for a total of RM1 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the the decision was made in the cabinet meeting earlier today, and all funds will be taken from the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund.

She also said the Finance Ministry will reimburse the second donation of RM500,000, which makes it possible for the funds to be donated to other countries which have been hit by natural disasters.

“It is true that the fund is for use within Malaysia, but we were given leeway this time when additional funds were given by the finance ministry to be used,” she told reporters in Port Dickson today.

On Monday, the government said it has contributed RM500,000 to the victims after talks with Indonesian Deputy President Jusuf Kalla.

The death toll has increased to more than 1,200 due to an earthquake that occurred in Palu city last Friday, which then triggered a tsunami. – October 3, 2018.