Saturday February 5, 2011

Evacuation of Malaysians from Egypt proceeds smoothly

THE evacuation of Malaysians from Egypt proceeded smoothly as mass protests against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak swelled to hundreds of thousands in what has been billed the “Day of Departure” in Cairo.

About 3,600 Malaysians, mostly students, have been flown to Jeddah since the mission to evacuate them began on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, who gave the thumbs-up to the rescue efforts, said he expected all 11,000 Malaysian students to be evacuated by Monday.

He said the Government was maximising all resources to get the job done, with planes jetting between Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The Malaysian evacuees are being housed in transit at the Tabung Haji complex in Jeddah.

The transportation and accommodation costs are being borne by the Malaysian Government.

Anifah said the Government would decide in a day or two on whether to fly the evacuated Malaysians home.

In Cairo, the army moved in to prevent clashes between rival groups, with security checks being conducted randomly.

Mubarak has said in an interview that he is “fed up” and wants “to go” after 62 years in public service, but fears the consequences of quitting immediately.

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