Azlan Othman

Four Bruneians, an Indonesian, a Singaporean, two Syrians with permanent resident status in Malaysia and 80 Malaysians stranded in Saudi Arabia following the flight suspension and the travel ban due to the COVID-19 outbreak arrived in Malaysia yesterday night.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said in a statement on Friday that the aircraft carrying the 88 individuals was scheduled to arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 12.30am on April 11, Malaysian media reported.

“They will arrive on a special Saudi Arabian Airlines sponsored by the Saudi Arabia government,” he said.

“We are made to understand that the aircraft will also be used by the Saudi Arabia government to bring back their citizens who are stranded in Malaysia,” he said.

Hishammuddin said on behalf of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, leaders of the Malaysian Government and the people of Malaysia, he expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Saudi Arabian Government, especially King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud for helping Malaysia in this time of need.

He thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is also Saudi’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, for his concern over the Malaysians stranded in the kingdom and in ensuring that they were well taken care of.

He expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al-Saud as well.

This proved how close the relationship is between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, he said, adding that the Foreign Ministry will assure that the long-existing ties between the two nations would continue to be strong and lasting.