PUTRAJAYA: There are currently no plans to repatriate Malaysians classified under Category 3 from West Asia as commercial flights and airspace in the region have reopened, allowing them to return on their own if they wish, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister said Malaysians residing in the affected countries are able to leave using available commercial flights now that airspace restrictions have been lifted.
“For Malaysians living there, they fall under Category 3. At this point, we have no plans to bring them back.
“If they wish to return, they can do so because flights and the airspace of those countries have already reopened,” he told reporters when met here on Monday (March 16).
Mohamad added that efforts to assist Malaysians who were stranded earlier have largely been completed.
“The responsibility has now been taken over by the National Security Council (NSC), which will advise the Foreign Ministry. We are coordinating with them.
“As of today, we have brought back all Malaysians who were stranded at airports in the Middle East, as well as those who travelled to perform umrah on their own,” he said.
Commenting on the ongoing conflict, Mohamad described the recent attacks on Iran as unlawful and warned that the escalation could have wider global repercussions.
“What is happening today, the unlawful war carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran, is something very bad for the whole world,” he said.
He added that the conflict would not only affect the Middle East but could also have serious implications for the global economy.
“It does not just affect the Middle East but the entire world, particularly the global economy, because of this unjust war,” he said.
Mohamad expressed hope that the conflict would not escalate further, saying that prolonged hostilities would not benefit any party.
“This war does not benefit anyone at all.
“Iran is an independent nation, yet its sovereignty has been attacked without any justification,” he added.
