PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim will fly to Turkey tonight to express support for the country, which has lost tens of thousands of people in an earthquake.

Anwar said due to his work commitments, he was initially hesitant to visit the country but changed his mind after receiving calls from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Initially, I was reluctant because the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team is already there and a (field) hospital has been set up. However, in the spirit of friendship, I have decided to go there,” he told reporters after a meeting with senators at parliament in Kuala Lumpur today.

Anwar said Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir will accompany him on the one-day trip.

Earlier, during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said Erdogan had called him twice asking him to go to Turkey.

“I am considering flying there tonight to give my moral support. I have been asked by the president to go there immediately,” he said.

On February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and parts of Syria. As of yesterday, 31,643 people are confirmed dead and 106,428 injured in Turkey, while in Syria there are 5,329 dead and 14,500 injured. – Bernama, February 14, 2023.