KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians working and living in the Netherlands are urged to stay vigilant at all times and adhere to the Dutch government's rules following scattered public disorders in major cities there to protest the nationwide curfew in the wake of Covid-19.
Charge d'affaires ad interim at Malaysia's Embassy at The Hague, the Netherlands, Dr. Mohd Norhisyam Mohd Yusof said the embassy was monitoring the development closely and had been keeping in touch with the Malaysian diaspora to ensure that they remain safe.
He said the embassy had also taken steps to update Malaysians on the Dutch government's latest announcements on the pandemic measures via e-mails, phone calls, as well as through the embassy's website and social media platforms.
"We have continuously advised them to remain vigilant, give them friendly reminder not to participate in any activities that may jeopardise the safety and security, as well as to adhere to the laws and regulations imposed by the Dutch Government," he said via a WhatsApp reply to Bernama.
The Dutch government imposed a night-time curfew from 9pm to 4.30am beginning Jan 23 to curb the spread of the rising number of Covid-19 infection in the country. It is the first curfew in the Netherlands since World War II.
However, public discontent over the decision has led to violence at Urk and in Limburg, where angry rioters reportedly torched a Covid-19 testing centre.
The violence subsequently spread to other major cities including Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Amersfoort and Den Bosch.
Mohd Norhisyam noted that positive cases in the country had seen a slight drop since the curfew began, compared to 12,000 new positive cases recorded a day before to the curfew was imposed.
"Malaysians are coping with the situation. Generally, Malaysians in the Netherlands are adhering to the Dutch government's measures as well as the currently imposed lockdown and curfew," he said.
He added that although the Malaysian diaspora in the Netherlands had yet to request for any assistance, the embassy would be ready to give help when needed.
Mohd Norhisyam said there were currently 988 Malaysians registered with the embassy, largely comprised of those working there, students, as well as the embassy's staff and their family members.
He urged those who have yet to register with the embassy to do so, via the the consular's website at https://embassymalaysia.nl.
"We also ask them to remain safe and healthy, and would like to assure that the embassy is here to assist when needed," he said.
The embassy can be contacted via email consularthehague@kln.gov.my; office phone number: +31703506506 (office hour); +31619007048 (after office hour and Whatsapps); as well as social media platforms such as FB, Twitter and Instagram @myembnl.
The Netherlands recorded 970,156 Covid-19 cases and 13,772 deaths as of Tuesday, John Hopkins University's data showed. – BERNAMA