ALL MALAYSIANS IN WEST ASIA SAFE, PUTRAJAYA CONTINUES MONITORING REGIONAL SITUATION

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) – All Malaysians contacted by Malaysian diplomatic missions across West Asia have been confirmed safe and accounted for amid the volatile security situation in the region, the Foreign Ministry said.

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.

The ministry added that the travel advisory issued on March 5 advising Malaysians to defer travel to countries affected by the current conflict remains in effect.

The Foreign Ministry said 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 successfully departed Amman for Kuala Lumpur at approximately 3.40 am (local time) on March 16,” the statement read.

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 commercial aviation routes between Malaysia and a number of West Asian 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.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said Malaysian Diplomatic Missions across West Asia remain operational and continue providing consular assistance to Malaysians in the region, including maintaining contact with registered Malaysians and advising travellers whose journeys were disrupted to utilise available commercial flights.

The ministry said Malaysian diplomatic missions also continue conducting welfare checks and maintaining contact with registered Malaysians in affected areas.

“Following isolated incidents involving falling debris in parts of the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Malaysian diplomatic missions contacted registered Malaysians in the affected areas and confirmed that all were safe and unharmed,” it stated.

In Bahrain, the Malaysian Embassy in Manama had previously provided temporary shelter for Malaysians displaced during earlier phases of the crisis.

As the situation improved and residents gradually returned to their homes, the mission has since concluded temporary shelter arrangements.

“No Malaysians are currently being sheltered at the Embassy Chancery or at Rumah Malaysia,” the statement added.

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

-- BERNAMA