PUTRAJAYA, March 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Japan in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami which struck that country today.
Najib conveyed the message at the outset of his speech opening the Malay Language International Oratory Competition for the PM's Trophy 2011 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here tonight.
A devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck offshore northern Japan today and unleashed a 10-metre high tsunami which lashed the country, killing at least 59 people in the twin disasters.
A tsunami warning was also issued for all countries of the Pacific Basin except the United States and Canada.
-- BERNAMA