KUANTAN -- The Malaysian air force has sent
                 emergency food supplies to Pulau Tioman after bad
                 weather cut off sea links to the resort island on
                 Wednesday, affecting about 3,000 people.

                 Winds of between 40 and 50 knots had also damaged a
                 telecommunications tower, cutting off telephone links for
                 two days before the damage was repaired on Thursday.

                 An Royal Malaysian Air Force spokesman said a Nuri
                 helicopter flew four sorties on Wednesday and Thursday
                 to send some 4,000 kg of food to three villages on the
                 island.

                 He said Kampung Juara, Kampung Mukut and
                 Kampung Telek were facing food shortages because
                 choppy seas prevented boats from reaching the island.

                 The situation has been described as "still critical" and a
                 National Security Department spokesman said it was
                 ready to airlift another 9,675 kg of food.

                 "The food can last for three days and if there is a need,
                 more will be sent," he said.

                 A Meteorological Services Department spokesman said
                 the waters around the island were expected to remain
                 dangerous until the north-east monsoon ends next
                 month.

                 According to Pulau Tioman village chief Darus Daud,
                 the situation in Kampung Juara and Kampung Mukut
                 was especially critical and residents might have to ration
                 their food even with the RMAF airlifts.

                 There are more than 2,700 people on Tioman, including
                 300 in Kampung Juara and 250 in Kampung Mukut.

                 Mr Darus said the last boat service to the island was on
                 Jan 26.

                 Meanwhile, the Johor state government has ordered a
                 close watch on the islands off Mersing.

                 State welfare officials have been ordered to liaise with
                 police to visit the islands as soon as possible to assess
                 their needs.

                 The authorities were also told to be in constant contact
                 with the 1,000 people on Aur, Pemanggil, Tinggi and
                 Sibu Besar islands. -- The Star/Asia News Network

                      Adapted from The Straits Times, 5 Feb 2000.