270 Malaysians in Bangladesh to return soon over pandemic fears

Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddihas has promised to repatriate 270 out of 367 Malaysians still living in Bangladesh soon, which is most likely by tomorrow. 

The foreign minister said that Putrajaya has made arrangements with Dhaka for a special chartered flight, via a Malaysia Airlines Airbus 332, to bring them from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Malaymail reported.

At a joint press conference with Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president Tan Sri S Vigneswaran, Minister Hishammuddin said, "As many as 270 Malaysians have agreed to return home but the government has requested seven civil servants to stay back and continue working at our high commission. We greatly respect and are grateful for their sacrifice."

Currently, there are 367 Malaysians recorded to reside in Bangladesh. This includes 219 students, 55 staffs of Medan Malaysia hospital in Coz Bazaar, 73 expatriates with their families and 20 government officials who work at the high commission and their families.

On Monday, the Bangladeshi government announced a ten-day forced leave on all sectors from March 26 till April 4. This is on top of its shutdown of all public road transport, domestic flights, water and railway communications across the country.

Malaysia's foreign minister also revealed that more than a thousand Malaysians left stranded in foreign countries such as Uzbekistan, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and India among others have been successfully brought home by Wisma Putra.

This morning, 995 Malaysians have returned home from India in six flights sponsorded by the MIC party that will also sponsor the flight from Dhaka.

Regarding the fate of the 46 Malaysians in Iran, Hishammuddin said that government representatives are discussing with Tehran on allowing a special flight to evacuate them.

Hishammuddin also promised that his ministry will be in close contact with the Health Ministry to ensure that all screening measures will be thoroughly observed by all Malaysians brought home from overseas during this Covid-19 pandemic.