Govt Urges Malaysians In US & UK To Come Home While You Can
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As countries across the globe go into lockdown in efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19, Wisma Putra has beseeched Malaysians in the United States and United Kingdom to come home while they still can.
While the two nations have gone into lockdown, commercial flights are still allowed.
I urge those who are there to return as soon as possible before the countries enforce travel ban and flight cancellation. I also advise them to register at the Malaysian Embassy there to get the necessary help.
Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Foreign Minister via Malay Mail.
(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
Despite Malaysians in the US and UK still having the opportunity to come home, Malay Mail reports that 3,468 Malaysian citizens are stranded in 61 countries around the globe (as of 27th March) due to travel restrictions implemented by various nations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
These stranded Malaysians refer to those who went abroad for work, family matters as well as holidays. However, they cannot return home despite having flight tickets due to travel bans or flight cancellations.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said that Wisma Putra is working hard to solve the issue and is currently in contact with various governments and parties to negotiate flight landing approvals to bring these stranded Malaysians home.
In some countries, no commercial flights were allowed to fly in and back. Even if we managed to get the flight landing approval, we still need to find special rental aircraft.
Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Foreign Minister via Malay Mail.
Nonetheless, he explained that the Malaysian government managed to secure assistance from private companies and associations, such as MIC and T7 Global Berhad, who funded the rent for the aircraft.
Wisma Putra is also working on securing an additional RM19 million to bring home Malaysians stranded in countries with no commercial flights at all.
Additionally, all Malaysian representatives have been instructed to conduct Covid-19 crisis evaluations every day at their respective countries and report it to the Malaysian citizens who are stranded.
Malaysians overseas are strongly advised to register themselves at the nearest Malaysian High Commission or embassy (full list HERE).
(Credit: Wisma Putra)
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