Malaysians grateful for help at critical moment

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysians are expressing gratitude for the assistance provided during a critical period amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Muhammad Tarmimi Tarmizi, a 49-year-old logistics coordinator, vividly recalls the missile attack he experienced in Qatar during Ramadan. The sound of firecrackers, typically a festive noise, now serves as a chilling reminder of the missiles that fell just 10km from his location, forcing him and his colleague to embark on a harrowing 23-hour journey to safety.

Tarmizi, among the 163 Malaysians evacuated by the government, recounted his ordeal in the New Straits Times, emphasizing the mental toll of living in uncertainty over airport operations and travel safety. The relief came when they reached Jeddah Airport, where Malaysian authorities had arranged a flight home. Similarly, Hanees Shafe, a Malaysian student, faced her own anxiety when conflict erupted in the Middle East, initially dismissing reports of the Iran-US war circulating in her WhatsApp groups as routine.

After spending a week in Madinah, news of the conflict began circulating, prompting her to accept a flight offered by the Malaysian embassy to return to safety. Hanees praised the embassy officials for treating the evacuees with compassion, from the moment they arrived at Jeddah Airport to their arrival in Malaysia. The Foreign Ministry has pledged to continue monitoring developments in the region and support coordination efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysians affected by the crisis.