PETALING JAYA: Malaysians fleeing Ukraine are feeling helpless, in distress and want to come home as soon as possible.
A source who declined to be named was unhappy over how the situation was handled by the Foreign Ministry and the government.
"We believe people over there - the embassy is trying their best to come back home (no one wants to stay in a land that is about to be invaded). It’s common sense.
"What about travelling through charter flights? China is taking charter flights for their 6,000 citizens living in Ukraine to bring them back home.
"We only have 11. The minister should take responsibility. They are talking about people’s lives.
"Why no press conference on the wellbeing of Malaysians over there? It’s an invasion and yet they don’t take it seriously," the source said in a message.
It is said that the Malaysian embassy has chartered a bus to neighbouring Poland.
Another source in Ukraine, who wished to be known as Muhammad, said he anticipated that fleeing at the 11th hour could be difficult.
He said as someone who is familiar with Poland, this was expected, as even on normal days, it takes days to cross.
"Even without a conflict, the queue to cross the border takes two to three days. It will be even more difficult now.
"Ideally Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania would have been better options but perhaps they didn't think about it," he said.
In a press conference earlier in Bangkok, Thailand, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob said that the 11 Malaysians are already en route to flee Ukraine.
"We cannot reveal their current location for safety reasons but they are on their way out of Ukraine. They have however left Kiev.
"Wisma Putra is keeping close contact with them from time to time and we will give out an update on their status soon," he said.
At press time Wisma Putra has only said they will keep people updated should there be any development.
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