KOTA KINABALU: Over 400 Sabah students currently studying in the Middle East, including in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are reported to be safe amid conflict in the region.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said that the state is constantly monitoring the situation through its officers stationed there.
“So far, our students’ condition has been reported to be safe. A Yayasan Sabah officer stationed in Cairo is continuously monitoring their situation and maintaining close contact with the universities.
“We also ensure they remain in touch with the Malaysian Embassies in Cairo, Amman, and Saudi Arabia to facilitate communication and immediate action if necessary,” he said here on Friday (March 6).
He said Sabah students in the region were pursuing studies in various fields at leading universities.
He noted that the majority of Sabah students were in Egypt, particularly at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, for its religious studies programs.
Arifin, who also oversees Sabah’s religious affairs, added that the officer stationed in Egypt has served there for more than 10 years, including during previous crises, and has extensive experience in safeguarding the welfare of Malaysian students in the Middle East.
“This officer has long been assigned there and will ensure our students receive proper attention,” he said, adding that he has been in touch with the officer.
Arifin said Malaysian authorities, through Wisma Putra and the Higher Education Ministry, are also constantly updated on the students’ situation.
He explained that most students receive scholarships from the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS). In contrast, others receive support through Yayasan Sabah scholarships, Sabah state government scholarships, and contributions from the Sabah State Education Fund.
Regarding their studies, Arifin said the students are attending classes in person at their respective universities.
He said based on reports received the conditions in Egypt and some other Middle Eastern locations were stable, with no disruption issues to their academic classes.
