Malaysian Minister Confirms Citizens Safe in Saudi Cities Amid Heightened Security Risks

During a handover ceremony for a grid-connected solar PV system, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan reported that daily reports from the Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah confirm all Malaysians in those cities are safe despite heightened tensions in Saudi Arabia. He explained that the diplomatic missions maintain contact through the e-Konsular platform and urged Malaysians to remain at home and avoid public areas that could be targeted, especially after a recent attack on an Aramco complex.

The minister added that flight cancellations have temporarily stranded several Malaysians in Jeddah and recommended postponing non-essential travel to the kingdom. He also addressed a separate consular matter, stating Malaysia can provide assistance to citizens detained in Japan on drug-smuggling charges, but any consular visit requires written consent from the detainee. Japanese authorities keep the detainees’ identities confidential. The case involves four men and a woman caught with about five kilograms of cocaine hidden in shoe insoles at Haneda Airport, allegedly shipped from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.