Selangor Journal

Sudan conflict: Wisma Putra doing its best to bring home stranded Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — The government will make every effort to ensure the safety of Malaysians in Sudan and bring them home safely following the conflict in the country.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said his ministry will cooperate with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the National Security Council (NSC) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) over the matter.

He said Wisma Putra has also been in contact with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, UAE, China, the United States and the United Nations (UN) to help the process of bringing Malaysians out of Sudan as soon as the situation permits.

“Currently, the situation in the country is still tense due to the fighting between the two warring factions which is reported to be still intense, especially in strategic areas in Khartoum.

“Khartoum International Airport has not yet reopened and this makes it difficult to plan to bring out foreigners from various countries including Malaysia,” Zambry said in a statement today.

The conflict in Sudan involving the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has sparked political turmoil and threatened security in the country.

Earlier today, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah recommended that the government prepare to bring home Malaysians stranded in Sudan if the conflict in the country escalated.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also asserted the government is closely monitoring the conflict in Sudan and would bring back Malaysians who were in the country if the current situation posed a risk to their safety.

Commenting further, the minister said all 29 Malaysians followed the advice issued by the Malaysian Embassy in Khartoum to remain indoors.

Zambry said Wisma Putra has activated Operation Sudan, which was on duty round the clock since the crisis in Sudan started, and a special team joined by several agencies had made careful preparations and planning to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysians in Sudan.

“This Special Team is also in close contact with the Malaysian Embassy in Khartoum regarding the safest method to supply basic needs, especially food and medicine to all those in Sudan,” he said.

— Bernama

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