KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Malaysia has dispatched a medical team from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to Myanmar as part of a humanitarian relief effort under Operation Starlight III following the devastating earthquake that struck the country last March 28.
ATM Health Services director-general Lieutenant General Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh said the 69-member team comprised 16 officers and 53 members from various specialisations, including the Forward Anaesthesia and Surgical Team (FAST) from the Malaysian Field Hospital, an element from the Royal Engineers Regiment (RAJD).
He said the team, led by Colonel Dr Ahmad Farhan Ahmad Fuad, also brought essential equipment, including a Level Two Field Hospital, medical and communication kits, technical equipment, a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and two 18-tonne capacity trucks.
"The plan is to operate the field hospital for one month, and after that, we will conduct an assessment based on field observations to determine any further needs," he told reporters during the sending-off ceremony at the Subang Air Base today.
He said the plan is to operate the Field Hospital in the Sagaing area, Myanmar, but did not rule out the possibility of the location changing based on the situation.
Commenting further, Dr Zulkeffeli said the team took 72 hours to prepare to activate the mission as various factors had to be taken into account, including security, limited water and electricity supplies in the area where the Field Hospital is located.
"For security factors, the Myanmar government has ensured that the area where we are deployed is safe," he said.
Operation Starlight III was deployed from the Subang Air Base using two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Airbus A400M aircraft which departed at 4.45 am and 5.15 am, respectively.
Meanwhile, member of Parliament for Bakri, Tan Hong Pin, in a statement yesterday, said that while Malaysia acknowledges the importance of engaging with all relevant stakeholders — including Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) — it is imperative to emphasise that the current interaction with the military authorities is strictly humanitarian in nature.
“It does not signal political recognition of the junta. Instead, it is a pragmatic and time-sensitive effort to facilitate the effective delivery of aid to those most affected by the recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which has claimed over 3,600 lives and left more than 6.3 million people in need,” he said.
The response comes following criticism from former Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, who questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s engagement with Myanmar’s military leadership during the recent humanitarian mission.
Tan said Saifuddin’s remarks overlooked the core purpose of the visit, which was to ensure urgent life-saving assistance could be extended to those impacted by the natural disaster.
“While we respect differing views on foreign policy approaches, it is crucial to distinguish between political posturing and urgent humanitarian action,” he said.
He further clarified that Anwar’s visit was not a deviation from Asean’s collective stance, but rather “a move made with the full knowledge and support of Asean leaders, driven by the pressing need to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar”.
— Bernama
