KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta is seeking solutions and providing the best possible assistance to Malaysians stranded in Indonesia following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan urged family members of affected Malaysians to remain patient, as airlines can only resume operations after clearance.
He assured that the stranded Malaysians are safe and that the situation only involves flight disruptions.
"There is not much we can do since no flights are available. Even charter flights are not feasible at this point, as all flights, including commercial ones, have been cancelled.
"However, our consular team in Jakarta will do their utmost to assist the Malaysians stranded there," he said during a press conference after hosting a luncheon with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Monday (Sept 7).
As of Monday morning, approximately 1,500 Malaysians have been affected by flight cancellations and rescheduling in Jakarta, as volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau continues to disrupt air travel for a second day.
It was reported that 243 flights involving 29,619 passengers have been disrupted at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, which is among the eight airports affected by the volcanic ash.
The others are Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta; Radin Inten II Airport, Lampung; Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung; and Budiarto Airport in Tangerang.
Also affected are Pondok Cabe Airport, Tangerang Selatan; Taufik Kiemas Airport, Pesisir Barat, Lampung; and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra.- Bernama
