Malaysian government is finalising plans to evacuate 649 citizens from West Asia amid conflict, with 24,568 registered for assistance via the e-Konsular system.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian government is finalising preparations to evacuate its citizens from countries affected by escalating conflicts in West Asia and the Middle East, following rising security concerns in the region.
The National Security Council (NSC) confirmed that the operation is being conducted under the directive of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has ordered all relevant agencies to take immediate measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysians abroad.
The NSC is coordinating closely with the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) and Malaysia’s diplomatic missions in the affected countries.
Both agencies will provide regular updates until all citizens have safely returned home.
“The government is committed to ensuring the safe repatriation of all Malaysians in the affected areas,” the NSC said in a statement.
As of yesterday, a total of 649 Malaysians remain stranded across several Middle Eastern countries.
According to Wisma Putra, 24,568 Malaysians have registered via the e-Konsular system as of 6 pm on March 7, enabling the government to track their locations and provide timely assistance.
It also said that the current focus is on assisting those stranded due to travel disruptions and facilitating their return through available commercial flights.
The Cabinet has also approved a contingency evacuation plan should the security situation deteriorate further.
Countries involved in the coordination effort include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Turkiye, with support from local authorities and airline operators.
In Saudi Arabia, 243 Malaysians – primarily Umrah pilgrims – remain stranded, while in the UAE, 176 are still on the assistance list in Dubai and 25 in Abu Dhabi.
In Oman, the number of stranded Malaysians has dropped dramatically from 190 to just five following recent departures.
The ministry also noted that regional aviation disruptions continue to affect travel, with Iraqi airspace closed and civilian flights in Qatar restricted.
Malaysians in the region are urged to register or update their details through the e-Konsular system to facilitate evacuation and consular support.
The MFA’s operations room in Putrajaya remains active 24 hours a day to provide assistance, and can be contacted at +603-8887 4570 or [email protected].
