Saudis give Malaysia a week to finish mission

Tuesday February 8, 2011

SEPANG: Malaysia has been given a week to complete its rescue mission in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said those remaining after that week would have to get their visas extended until they can be flown home.

A total of 778 Malaysians, of whom 459 were flown by MAS and 319 by AirAsia, arrived at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport (KLIA) here at about 10am yesterday.

They were the first group of Malaysians to arrive home in the massive evacuation operation.

Jamil Khir said while thousands were on their way home, about 200 students chose to remain in Egypt for various reasons, including family ties and study related matters.

“This is a historic moment because we have successfully moved our children back to Malaysia,” he said. “The Saudi Arabian government has also, for the first time, issued visas-on-arrival, specially for the Malaysian evacuees,” he added.

Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay, who was among the first to leave for Egypt to coordinate the rescue mission, said the effort was a true reflection of the 1Malaysia spirit.

He said, although most of the affected were Muslims, many people of other races came forward to volunteer their help.

“This episode truly reflects how Malaysians, irrespective of race, come together to help those facing trying times,” he added.

Source: The Star.
Link: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/8/nation/8021155&sec=nation.