Its minister Datuk Noh Omar said the eggs, contributed by the Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM), needed to be delivered fast as their shelf-life would only last for three weeks from the date of delivery.

"We understand that the earthquake victims are short of chicken eggs... that's why we're helping (through FLFAM)," he said after the handing-over of the contribution to the Indonesian government, which was represented by its ambassador here, Tan Sri Da'i Bachtiar, Thursday.

He said the FLFAM was prepared to send additional eggs if the Indonesian authorities in Padang requested, besides contributing to the typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Earlier, Da'i Bachtiar said Malaysia was always the first country to provide assistance to Indonesia whenever it faced a disaster, according to Malaysian news agency Bernama.

"I thank the Malaysian non-governmental organisations and government officials for all the assistance that continues to flow," he said, adding that the contributions received would be distributed by a relief team in Padang.