Malaysians advised to postpone travel to Bangladesh unless urgent

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians with non-essential travel plans are advised to postpone their trips to Dhaka, Bangladesh, due to the unpredictable situation in the country.

According to Sinar Harian, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) stated that this advisory comes as some Malaysians are planning to return to Bangladesh.

“This also applies to Malaysian students who intend to return to Bangladesh to continue their studies upon arrival,” the statement said.

Protests that began on July 1 have resulted in at least 133 deaths, stemming from opposition to the reintroduction of a public service quota system.

On Sunday, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled that 93 percent of all public appointments will be based on merit effective immediately.

This leaves five percent allocated for descendants of the 1971 war of independence veterans and two percent for minorities or individuals with disabilities.

All premises across Bangladesh have been under curfew since Saturday, including the Malaysian High Commission (STM) there, following the evacuation.

The statement further advised Malaysians in Bangladesh to remain vigilant and avoid areas of conflict.

“Precautionary measures should also be taken in accordance with local authorities’ instructions.

“We are continuously monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and are committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all Malaysians in the country,” it said.