KUALA LUMPUR: Wisma Putra has advised Malaysians to defer non-essential trips to the conflict-torn Middle East.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said a travel advisory was issued yesterday and that the ministry would issue updates on the matter.
He said embassies near the conflict zones had also been instructed to be on standby for possible evacuation involving Malaysians there.
He said there were 58 Malaysians in Iran and half of them were students, while most of the 162 Malaysian in Iraq were Petronas staff with six or seven lecturers.
“We have issued instructions to nearby embassies to be on standby for evacuation process should the need arise,” he told reporters after attending an event today.
He said a committee, comprising officials from various agencies, was formed to discuss on the latest development in the conflict zones as well as the status of Malaysians residing in the affected countries.
“The committee held a meeting today to evaluate the conflict in the Middle East, especially on the killing of Iranian military general (Qassem) Soleimani last Friday.
“The committee would convene regularly and update the public on this. Our priority is the safety of Malaysians there.
“To those residing there, be it for work or studies, please keep in touch with the embassies. If you plan to organise a visit there, please stay vigilant, and postpone any non-essential trip,” he said.
Saifuddin said the meeting, chaired by ministry deputy secretary general Datuk Amran Mohamed Zin, was also attended by officials from the National Security Council, Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, Education Ministry, Prime Minister’s Department, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), International Trade and Industry Ministry, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), police, Transport Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
The rising tension between the Iran and United States-led coalition has also forced commercial airlines to either divert their flights or avoid flying over the conflict area.
The attack was launched in retaliation for the US air strike that killed Soleimani.