Eighty Malaysian citizens stranded at Saudi Arabia, following flight cancellations and travel restrictions there to curb Covid-19, will be able to return home tomorrow, said Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said today that the Saudi government has agreed to help them get back to Malaysia via a special Saudi Arabian Airlines flight sponsored by the Middle Eastern kingdom.
In a media statement issued today, Hishammuddin (photo) said that the flight is expected to arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang at 12.30am on April 11.
Hishammuddin said also on board the flight would be four Brunei nationals, an Indonesian citizen, a Singaporean as well as two Syrian nationals with Permanent Resident status in Malaysia.
He noted that the Malaysian government is made to understand that the same flight would be used by the Saudi government to bring home their citizens stranded in Malaysia as well.
“On behalf of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, government leadership and the people of Malaysia, I express thank you and the highest appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia, especially the Ruler of Saudi Arabia, King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud, on his Highness’s assent to help Malaysia during this time of need,” Hishammuddin said.
He also expresses thanks to the Crown Prince who is also Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Prince Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud and the kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud.
“This matter proves how close the relationship between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Through the Foreign Ministry, Malaysia will ensure the good relationship that has formed for so long between both nations to remain firm and lasting,” the minister said.
On April 4, it was reported that a total of 2,298 Malaysians were still stranded in 47 countries due to, among others, flight cancellations and travel restrictions imposed by these countries following the Covid-19 outbreak.
Deputy foreign minister Kamarudin Jaffar had said that among them were 83 Malaysians stranded at Saudi Arabia. - Mkini
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