Minister pleads for Malaysian students to avoid Yemen

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has advised Malaysians in Yemen not to take a risk by continuing to stay in the country which is in an upheaval.

"We are aware that the situation in Hadhramaut is still safe compared to other areas such as Aden, but what happens in Aden may spread to other areas. So we call on Malaysians to give full cooperation to the authorities," he said.

Some of the 600 students who were in Yemen has made the decision not to return to Malaysia for various reasons including undergoing an examination.

Hishammuddin said Malaysians' refusal to return to the country would cause difficulties for the security of the country to help bring them home in case of an unwanted situation in the country.

The Defence Minister also assured that Malaysian students studying in Yemen will be given permission to return to the country to pursue their studies when the situation stabilizes. He also said he was also in talks with the Ministry of Education to accommodate students at public universities in Malaysia to continue their studies.

Meanwhile, 154 Malaysians had been flown from Yemen to Malaysia.