MID-EAST DEVELOPMENTS
There are 58 Malaysians in Iran, 162 in Iraq, says foreign minister
EMBASSIES located near conflict-torn Iran and Iraq have been ordered to prepare for the possible evacuation of Malaysians there.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said there are 58 Malaysians in Iran, half of whom were students; and 162 in Iraq, the majority of whom are Petronas staff, and six or seven lecturers.
“We have issued instructions to nearby embassies to be on standby for evacuation should the need arise,” he said after attending an event yesterday.
He said a meeting, comprising officials from various agencies, was held to discuss developments in the conflict zones, as well as the status of Malaysians in the affected countries.
“The (inter-agency) meeting today (yesterday) was held to evaluate matters on the conflict in the Middle East, especially after the killing of Iranian military general (Qasem) Soleimani last Friday.
“The meeting will be held regularly and the public would be updated 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 (Malaysian) embassies (in Teheran and Baghdad).”
Saifuddin said the meeting, chaired by the ministry’s 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, International Trade and Industry Ministry, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Transport Ministry, police and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
He said a travel advisory was issued yesterday and that the ministry would issue updates on the matter.
“If you plan to organise a visit there, be vigilant. If possible, postpone any non-essential trip.”
The tension in the conflict zones escalated when the Iranian military launched an attack on an American airbase in Baghdad on Tuesday, in retaliation for a drone strike by the US that killed Soleimani.