Foreign minister: Malaysians in Riyadh, Jeddah safe amid Saudi tensions

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 — Malaysians residing and employed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have been confirmed safe amid ongoing tensions in the nation, stated Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Daily reports from the Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh and the Malaysian Consulate in Jeddah have affirmed the safety and well-being of Malaysians in both locations.

"I receive daily reports from our embassy in Riyadh and our consul in Jeddah confirming that Malaysians there are all right," said Mohamad during a press conference after attending the inauguration of a solar photovoltaic (grid-connected PV) system installation project executed by the Works Ministry for Foreign Ministry and three other government establishments.

The embassy and consulate continue to maintain communication with Malaysians in the respective cities to monitor their welfare. Mohamad cautioned Malaysians in Saudi Arabia to avoid public areas and strategic locations that might be targeted in attacks, advising them to remain at home if possible. The security situation in Saudi Arabia has remained tense following another reported attack on an Aramco complex, a major oil refining and production facility.

In light of the circumstances, Mohamad advised Malaysians without urgent travel reasons to delay their journeys to Saudi Arabia until the security situation improves. Additionally, the ministry can provide consular assistance to Malaysians detained in Japan for drug-related offenses, although legal proceedings are under the jurisdiction of Japanese authorities.

Four Malaysian men and a woman were apprehended at Haneda Airport in Tokyo last Saturday for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine worth ¥120 million (RM3.1 million) concealed in shoe insoles. They were believed to have transported the drugs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang before being detected during customs inspections upon arrival in Japan.