KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry assured that all Malaysians contacted by Malaysian diplomatic missions across the Middle East have been confirmed safe and accounted for amid the volatile security situation in the region.
In a statement on Monday, the ministry said Malaysians residing in Lebanon, including Malaysian Armed Forces personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), also remain safe despite the ongoing security situation in the country.
“Malaysians in the region are strongly urged to remain vigilant and to stay in contact with the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission should consular assistance be required,” the statement read and added that the travel advisory issued on March 5 advising Malaysians to defer travel to countries affected by the current conflict remains in effect.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the latest updates from Malaysian diplomatic missions indicate that no Malaysians remain stranded by air in Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar or Saudi Arabia.
“In Jordan and Syria, the remaining Malaysians departed Amman for Kuala Lumpur around 3.40 am (local time) on March 16,” the statement added.
However in the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said only a few Malaysians remain on the stranded list, with most already holding confirmed return tickets and expected to depart on upcoming commercial flights. A small number are being assisted in arranging suitable travel options.
In Kuwait, two Malaysians remain in the country. One has secured a return flight scheduled to depart on March 31 via Madinah, while the other is currently exploring available options and has sought advice from the Embassy of Malaysia in Kuwait, it added.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry, together with the National Security Council, continues to monitor developments closely and is working with diplomatic missions, host governments, airlines and other stakeholders to safeguard the welfare of Malaysians in the region.
Despite the volatile security environment and continued military activity reported in several parts of the region over the past 48 hours, the ministry’s commercial aviation routes between Malaysia and a number of Middle Eastern countries remain operational.
“Recent mission reports confirm that the backlog of stranded Malaysian travellers across the region has largely been cleared following the reopening of commercial flight operations and sustained coordination by Malaysian diplomatic missions,” the statement read.
The ministry said its operations room in Putrajaya remains active on a 24-hour basis and can be contacted at +603-8887 4570 or via email at dutyofficer@kln.gov.my
