US-IRAN TENSIONS: 13 MALAYSIANS OPT TO STAY IN IRAN DESPITE ADVISORIES - MOHAMAD HASAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Thirteen Malaysians, including students, are still in Iran after opting to stay voluntarily despite being offered assistance to return home following heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the government had already issued multiple travel advisories regarding the matter.

As they won’t budge, he said the individuals concerned were required to sign letters of indemnity acknowledging that they had chosen to remain of their own accord.

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“The government has advised them to return, but they decided to stay. They have therefore signed indemnity letters stating that the government cannot be held responsible should anything untoward occur,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad said this in reply to Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) on the number of Malaysians currently in Iran and the government’s plans to evacuate them in the event of armed conflict between Washington and Tehran.

Mohamad said the government had taken precautionary steps by repatriating family members of Malaysian diplomatic staff in Tehran.

“A total of 11 family members were brought home on Jan 18, while embassy officers, including the Malaysian ambassador, were recalled on Feb 2 for consultations and to assess the current situation,” he said.

He added that two travel advisories had been issued, urging Malaysians to avoid travelling to Iran unless it is absolutely necessary.

The government will continue to monitor developments through reports from Malaysia’s representatives in the region and take appropriate action should the security situation deteriorate further, he said.

-- BERNAMA