Malaysia - Somalia relationship | News and Development

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will send troops to Somalia as part of a humanitarian mission following prolonged drought in the country, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The Defence Minister said the troops, along with assets, will be sent from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"The decision (to send the troops) was reached after my meeting with Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omer Arteh Ghalib on Tuesday.

"He (Mohamed Omer) requested the ministry's assistance in providing aid in terms of food, medicine and expertise of the Armed Forces' medical unit," Hishammuddin said in a statement Friday.

He added that Somalia's request was brought to the attention of and approved by the Cabinet Friday.

Hishammuddin said three officers and 17 personnel from the Armed Forces Medical Corps will be sent to Somalia.

"An infantry unit, consisting of an officer and 10 men, will provide security for the Malaysian delegation.

"Food and medical supplies will be flown to Somalia via a Hercules C-130 aircraft," he said.

The Malaysian troops in Saudi Arabia were chosen to be sent to Somalia for their experience and expertise in evacuating Malaysians from Yemen, he added.

"Their training with Saudi Arabia's army helped to get them used to the environment, thus enabling us to plan and execute the operation in Somalia," he said.

Malaysia is also seeking assistance from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar as well as Asean countries, on behalf of Somalia.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Thursday received a courtesy call from Somalia Deputy Prime Minister, Mohamed Omer Arteh, who is on his maiden visit to Malaysia.

The meeting, which began at 8.45am, lasted about 20 minutes, where both leaders took the opportunity to discuss various current issues.

Speaking to reporters after the courtesy call, Mohamed Arteh expressed his gratitude and thanked Najib for his time for the meeting and Malaysia in general for its contribution to Somalia.

"The generousity that has been given to us, I really thank him (Najib) for that, and thanks also to organizations in this country that have contributed to Somalia.

"I also like to thank Malaysians for the way they had welcomed the Somalis students here, and also the government of Malaysia for giving the support and everything that they (students) need here," he said.

Mohamed Omer is currently on a working visit to Malaysia from March 9 until today. This is also his first visit to Malaysia since being appointed as Somalia's deputy prime minister in February 2015.

Yesterday, he also called on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at the Parliament building here.

Following the meeting with Ahmad Zahid, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office issued a statement, indicating that Malaysia would be channelling humanitarian aid such as food and medicines to Somalia through non-governmental organisations and political parties in this country.

Malaysia is also prepared to cooperate with the World Food Programme of the United Nations in assisting Somalia in dealing with its food crisis following the drought problem in that country since three years ago.

Additionally, Malaysia would also consider providing micro credit assistance to the hardcore poor and low-income group in that country, according to the statement.- Bernama

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SINTOK: Despite the unrest in some parts of their country, two Somali graduates from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) are keen to return home to serve the people.

Abbas Mohamad Mahdi, 28, and Ahmed Derow Isak, 32, from Mogadishu, are determined to return home and work in their home country after completing both their Bachelor and Master degrees in Information Technology.

The duo received their Master of Science (Information Technology) from UUM Pro-chancellor Tan Sri Osman Aroff today.

Abbas said as the second of six siblings, he wanted to support his younger siblings to further their education.

“My father passed away when I was eight years old and my mother raised the family by doing odd jobs.

“I was able to further my studies here thanks to my elder sister and a younger brother who helped me financially,” he said when met.

Abbas said he chose to come to UUM after he heard about it from friends who had furthered their studies at the university.

He initially planned to further his studies in Sudan but when he came to know about the peace, harmony and good social development enjoyed by Malaysians, he decided to come here to study.

Ahmed Derow said life in Malaysia was better than Somalia but he would still return home to work in his own country.

“My wife is there and so are my siblings who have helped to finance my studies here.

I will use the knowledge and experience I gained in this country to give back to my people back home,” he said.

Ahmad Derow said although his mother has migrated to United Kingdom and he could further his studies there, the cost that he need to bear was too high.

He said Malaysians should be grateful by the various benefits that they enjoy especially in the furthering their studies locally.

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