REMBAU: Five Malaysians, comprising four students and a businessman, have opted to stay in Iran despite Wisma Putra's advice to leave the country, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister said they had each signed a letter of undertaking to remain in Iran despite the government's earlier call for all Malaysians to leave the country amid escalating conflict.
"The evacuation process for Malaysians in Iran has been completed, with all returned home on June 21. I have ordered all Malaysians in Iran – most of whom are in Tehran – to return. However, four students are still staying there, namely three in Qom and one in Esfahan, while the other is a businessman.
"They have signed a letter of undertaking and expressed their gratitude to the Malaysian government and Wisma Putra, stating that they have chosen to stay (in Iran)...there are not many Malaysians in Iran," he told reporters after officiating the 52nd General Meeting of the Kaum Ibu Penajes Cooperative here on Saturday (June 28).
It was previously reported that 24 individuals, including Malaysians, who were in Iran, had safely arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH781.
The group comprised 17 Malaysians, six Iranian dependents of Malaysian citizens and one Singaporean national.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia would forge collaboration with Indonesia to explore economic development in the maritime border area between Malaysia and Indonesia in Ambalat.
He said that although the area involved was still under negotiation between the two countries, Malaysia did not want this resource-rich region to become a liability or be neglected.
"Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto came close to reaching an agreement. The technical committee is now tasked with promptly identifying ways to finalise the deal so both countries can benefit from the natural resources there.
"The form of cooperation to be undertaken may be in the form of joint development, similar to that in the Gulf of Siam, Thailand. Although it is an overlapping area, we share common interests in developing the region," he said.
On Friday (June 27), Anwar and Prabowo expressed the strong commitment of both countries to accelerate strategic cooperation in various fields, including joint development in the maritime border area of Malaysia and Indonesia in Ambalat in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner. – Bernama
