MALAYSIA has stepped up evacuation readiness for its citizens in conflict-prone areas by activating contingency preparations at all overseas diplomatic missions following Houthi drone and missile attacks in Saudi Arabia.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the plans provided operational guidelines for the systematic evacuation of Malaysians, covering the mapping of their locations, communication channels, resource coordination and emergency response arrangements.
He said the plans were regularly updated and would be activated or adjusted according to prevailing risks, developments in local security conditions and the number of Malaysians affected.
“They also serve as operational guidelines for dealing with any crisis to ensure that assistance and evacuation can be carried out in an orderly and effective manner.
“These plans will be activated and adjusted according to current needs, including the level of risk, developments in the local security situation and the number of Malaysians affected,” he said in a written parliamentary reply published on Parliament’s website last night.
Mohamad was responding to a question from Captain (R) Azahari Hasan (Independent-Padang Rengas) on measures to protect Malaysians, including umrah pilgrims and students in Saudi Arabia, following increased Houthi drone and missile attacks and security threats near Makkah.
He said Malaysia's diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia and Oman were monitoring developments and maintaining contact with their respective host governments to ensure preparedness for any eventuality.
The Consulate General of Malaysia in Jeddah and the Malaysian Embassy in Muscat had also issued travel advisories, media updates, press statements and consular notices following the Houthi attacks on Sept 15.
The notices urged Malaysians, including umrah pilgrims and students, to remain vigilant and comply with instructions issued by local authorities.
Mohamad said the government encouraged Malaysians abroad to register with the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission through email, telephone calls or the e-Konsular system to facilitate emergency assistance and evacuation planning.
“Registration is crucial to ensure that information on Malaysians is accurate, thereby facilitating assistance planning, the dissemination of information and the implementation of evacuation operations.
“At the same time, we encourage Malaysians to use the MyWorldAlert application, which has a location-based communication function using Global Positioning System (GPS), with their consent.
“This enables Malaysians to contact the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission directly to obtain appropriate consular assistance,” he said.
As of now, 2,334 Malaysians in Saudi Arabia and 582 in Yemen were registered with Malaysian diplomatic missions.
He said the advisories and security updates were also disseminated through the Foreign Ministry's and diplomatic missions' official social media channels to keep Malaysians informed and guide those in high-risk areas.
Malaysian diplomatic missions worldwide continued to monitor security developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, while maintaining engagement with host governments.
Mohamad said the safety and welfare of Malaysians abroad, particularly students and umrah pilgrims, remained a government priority.
“The Foreign Ministry remains committed to providing the best possible services to ensure the safety, well-being and welfare of Malaysians, especially those living in countries exposed to conflict and crises,” he said. - November 13, 2026
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