KOTA BARU: An estimated 20,000 Malaysian students are still stranded abroad as countries have closed their borders to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said, today.
He said the government is monitoring the situation and studying ways to bring home all the students in stages.
"For example, for students who have completed their studies, we do not want to delay bringing them home, and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) will ensure they will be brought home by their respective sponsors.
"The government has also provided an allocation, which is not much, but enough to bring back the Malaysian students who are still stranded," he told reporters at a programme with Zone 5 Civil Defence Force (APM), which is made up of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, here, today.
Also present was APM Chief Commissioner Datuk Roslan Wahab.
Mohd Redzuan said several crucial issues must be considered to resolve the situation, including legal matters, before the government can carry out a mission to bring the students home.
"For example, does the respective country allow international flights to enter?
"In the United States, where (Covid-19) cases are increasing, we are very concerned and we want to take advantage of its airspace, which is still open, to bring back (Malaysian) students," he added. – BERNAMA