Families hope all Malaysian students will be returned from Bangladesh soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Family members of Malaysian students affected by the current situation in Bangladesh hope that efforts to bring all the students home will be expedited due to the worsening conditions in the country.

When contacted by Bernama via WhatsApp yesterday, Ahmad Wafiq Aqil Kamarul, 23, a student pursuing a Master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery at Mymensingh Medical College, said the situation in Bangladesh is very concerning, and there are fears for the safety of students if immediate evacuation measures are not taken.

“With the current situation where internet and banking services have started to experience disruptions across the country, family members of the students, who held a meeting and whom I met in my homeland today (yesterday), agree that efforts to bring all students home should be expedited.

“Riots could potentially occur anywhere and without warning. I am not sure if the ongoing conflict can be resolved in the near future,” he said, having arrived in Malaysia via a commercial flight last Thursday.

Describing the early moments of the recent riots, Ahmad Wafiq Aqil said the situation became more complicated, especially after internet services, mobile data networks, and public transportation were disrupted.

“When I arrived at the airport, all communication networks had already begun to fail. With the curfew that came into effect yesterday (the day before), and the closure of all educational institutions there, it is essential for all our students to be brought back as soon as possible,” he said.

Recently, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) emphasized that the safety of Malaysians abroad remains a top priority given the current situation in Bangladesh.

In a statement released yesterday, Wisma Putra confirmed that Malaysian students affected by the situation in Bangladesh have been moved to the High Commission building for their safety.

The statement further noted that Wisma Putra and the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka are considering all available options, including relocation if necessary, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and other relevant agencies to assist Malaysian students in Bangladesh.

As of late Friday, out of 95 Malaysian students in Bangladesh, two had recently left Dhaka with the assistance of the High Commission.

The Bangladeshi government imposed a nationwide curfew last Saturday in response to increasing violence and demonstrations.