SEREMBAN, March 9 — Malaysians stranded in several Arab countries have been advised to immediately notify the nearest Malaysian embassy if they have secured flights to return home.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the step is important to enable the government to update records on Malaysians abroad and facilitate monitoring by the authorities.
The government, through the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Council, and other relevant agencies, is continuously monitoring security developments in the Gulf region.
“Alhamdulillah (God be praised), the security situation there appears to be gradually improving, and many airspaces are reopening in stages. Airlines can now resume services to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai, allowing Malaysians stranded in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi to return home safely,” he told the media after presenting Ramadan aid at the Taman Kelab Tuanku Public Hall in Mambau today.
Mohamad also thanked the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance to Malaysians stranded at airports in those countries.
However, some individuals were still difficult for embassy officials to contact, as they were believed to have already boarded return flights.
Therefore, he stressed that Malaysians who had secured flight seats, especially those departing from Jeddah, Madinah, Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, should inform the embassy so that Wisma Putra can better manage and monitor Malaysians who remain stranded.
The minister also advised those planning to travel to Gulf countries, including for Umrah, to postpone their trips until the situation stabilises.
Earlier, the Rembau MP presented Ramadan aid to 3,500 recipients in the Rantau state constituency, involving more than RM600,000 in assistance for senior citizens and the asnaf.
