Special AirAsia flight evacuates Malaysians amid Bangladesh crisis

The Malaysian government has taken immediate action to evacuate its citizens from Bangladesh as the political and social situation in the country continues to deteriorate. The special evacuation flight, operated by AirAsia, is scheduled to depart from Dhaka International Airport at 10 a.m. local time and is expected to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 around 4:20 p.m. This operation is a testament to Malaysia's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its nationals abroad.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the government's priority on the safety of Malaysians, stating, "Whether they are government-sponsored or private students, we will help them. The safety of Malaysians is our priority". This decision comes after monitoring the latest developments in Bangladesh, where tensions have escalated following the reinstatement of quotas for public sector jobs, leading to widespread protests and clashes between demonstrators and police.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who has been closely monitoring the situation, confirmed that the evacuation plan received the 'green light' from the Prime Minister. "The Foreign Ministry has analyzed the situation there and found that this issue will not be resolved soon, so our citizens will return home," he said. The special AirAsia flight, an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, can accommodate up to 350 passengers, ensuring that all Malaysians, including students and pilots working in Bangladesh, can be safely evacuated.

The situation in Bangladesh has been volatile since July 1, when the court reinstated quotas for public sector jobs that were abolished in 2018. This led to massive student protests, prompting the government to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy the military to maintain order. The German news agency dpa reported that the clashes between protesters and police have further exacerbated the situation, making it unsafe for foreign nationals.

Wisma Putra, Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been actively involved in coordinating the evacuation. "This morning, I discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim via phone, and he stated that the plan to bring back the students needs to be expedited," said Mohamad Hasan. The ministry has assured that the students in Bangladesh are safe and that food and other necessities have been delivered to them.

Despite the urgency of the situation, one student at Chittagong Medical College will not be returning to Malaysia due to the distance from Dhaka. The Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka has assured that the student's welfare will be taken care of. "Parents need not panic or worry about their children in Bangladesh as they are safe," Mohamad Hasan reassured.

The evacuation effort highlights the Malaysian government's proactive approach in ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad. As tensions in Bangladesh show no signs of abating, the timely intervention and coordination by Malaysian authorities have provided much-needed relief to the families of those affected.