By Muammar Eusouffi Zainol Abidin
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Middle East envoys in Malaysia are confident of the capability of the Malaysian government –helmed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – in handling the COVID-19 outbreak.
Yemen’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Adel Mohamed BA Hamid, said the embassy fully supported all the initiatives, measures and decisions taken by the Malaysian Government in managing the spread of COVID-19.
“On behalf of the Yemeni government and the people, we express our full support (for the government) and the people here in eradicating the outbreak and believe that the Malaysian government and the Ministry of Health (MOH) can handle it.
“Following the Movement Control Order announced by Malaysia, we (the embassy) are taking this step seriously and are urging the people of Yemen who are staying here to obey all orders,” he told Bernama.
Dr Adel said to date, no Yemeni people in Malaysia have been infected with the virus and they will continue to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Dr Mahmoud Hussien Saeed Qattan, said he is confident of the measures taken by the Malaysian government to protect the citizens of the country as well as the diplomatic and foreign officials.
He said the Movement Control Order is aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 in line with international efforts to curb the outbreak.
“Similar measures have been taken in many countries including Saudi Arabia … the struggle against the virus requires strict enforcement of laws from the government and its people, and this will certainly contribute positively to curbing the spread of the virus.
“We (the embassy) believe that integrated efforts at the national, international and regional levels are the fastest and most effective way to eradicate the spread of the virus,” he told Bernama.
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Malaysia, Khalid Ghanim Mohammad Al-Ghaith, praised the Malaysian government’s swift action in handling the outbreak, saying the effort is proof of the government’s commitment in protecting the safety and health of all Malaysians.
“In accordance with the instructions of the Malaysian government and Wisma Putra, we have closed the UAE Embassy here and operate from home from March 18 to March 31,” he told Bernama.
The UAE envoy also expressed his country’s willingness to cooperate with Malaysia in eradicating COVID-19 as the UAE is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a model country in dealing with the spread of the virus.
Egyptian Ambassador to Malaysia Gamal A. Metwally said the Movement Control Order is an important step for Malaysia, especially as the COVID-19 virus infection rate has increased.
Gamal said the Egyptian Embassy here is committed to following the move by directing all of its staff to work from home until March 31.
“The circular was also distributed to the Egyptian community in Malaysia, ordering all Egyptians to obey the instructions issued by the government of this country,” he told Bernama.
Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali told Bernama that Palestine always prayed for the protection of Malaysia and its people and that they would be able to withstand this test successfully.
“I have asked Palestinians living in Malaysia to always be mindful and to obey the orders of the authorities… We (Palestinians) always see Malaysia as a second country.
“We have stopped operations at the embassy and replaced it with the online system as an alternative plan to ensure that the services for our people here will continue, “ he said.
Bahraini Embassy’s Charge d’affaires, Maram AlSaleh, said the Malaysian government has taken the appropriate measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus and expressed her confidence that the Malaysian government’s preparedness will prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
On March 16, the Malaysian government announced the Movement Control Order – effective March 18 to March 31 – nationwide to curb the spread of COVID-19, marking the first time in history that Malaysia has enforced such an order.
The Movement Control Order covers a comprehensive ban on public movements and gatherings throughout the country including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.
–NNN-BERNAMA
