KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need for now to activate an evacuation plan to bring Malaysians home from countries affected by tension in the Middle East, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
He said the situation in the Gulf countries remains under control despite the uncertain security environment in the Middle East, where regional tensions have disrupted public movement and safety.
“We are closely monitoring the situation there. At this point it does not warrant us to trigger an evacuation plan,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in Dewan Negara.
Mohamad was responding to a question from Senator Azahar Hassan on the government’s measures to relocate Malaysians in several parts of the Middle East due to tensions in the region.
He said Wisma Putra has taken several proactive measures to safeguard the welfare of Malaysians, particularly those affected by flight disruptions and movement restrictions.
They include setting up a 24-hour operations room and ensuring Malaysians can contact consular offices in the respective affected countries, with embassies continuing to closely monitor developments.
“At present, there are about 29,000 Malaysians in the Gulf countries, with approximately 13,000 registered with the embassies. In Qatar, there are 2,007 registered Malaysians, most of whom work with airlines and related sectors,” he said.
He said the government’s immediate focus is on assisting Malaysians in transit in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Muscat, Oman; and Doha, Qatar; adding that those already residing in these locations face no issues as they have access to accommodation and adequate facilities.
The minister said discussions are underway with Lembaga Tabung Haji to utilise the agency’s accommodations in Jeddah to support Malaysians affected by flight cancellations.
The government will also manage individual cases, including stranded students, by providing shelter at embassy premises.
“For now, Malaysian Airlines is not operating flights to Saudi Arabia, although the country’s airspace remains open. This is most likely due to insurance companies raising their premiums, affecting operational viability. We are addressing this issue,” he said.
