Rodrigo de Rato
Rodrigo de Rato

Press Release: Statement by IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato on South Asia Earthquake Disaster
December 26, 2004

Malaysia and the IMF




Letter to Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi,
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Malaysia

from Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the IMF
December 28, 2004

Similar letters were also sent to Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of Bank Negara, Malaysia, and Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Second Minister of Finance for Malaysia.

The Honorable Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi
Governor of the International Monetary Fund
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Ministry of Finance
Federal Government Administrative Center
62592 Putrajaya, Malaysia

Dear Prime Minister Abdullah:

Please allow me to express, on behalf of the International Monetary Fund, our deepest condolences to your government and the people of your country, especially affected families, for the terrible loss of life experienced as a result of the massive earthquake and tidal waves this past weekend.

As you begin the difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of these tragic events, we in the International Monetary Fund stand ready to explore with you any way in which our institution can be of assistance. In this regard, I have asked our staff to establish immediate contact with you and your colleagues. We will also be working together with other regional and international institutions to ensure a speedy and coordinated response.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

Yours sincerely,

Rodrigo de Rato