ID :
159161
Mon, 02/07/2011 - 13:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/159161
The shortlink copeid
Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Pillay Says Evacuate Malaysians A Display Of Malaysia Spirit
SEPANG (Bernama) - Deputy Foreign Minister Senator A. Kohilan Pillay has described the massive operation to evacuate Malaysians from crisis-torn Egypt as a fine display of the 1Malaysia spirit.
"While there, I was surrounded by so many Muslim students and they were surprised to see me there," he said.
"There was also an Indian doctor among members of the Putera 1Malaysia Club who were there to provide assistance. This is something not seen in other countries which have multiracial people.
"We worked as a team to evacuate the students from the country," he told reporters at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport where the first group of 778 Malaysian nationals had just arrived from Jeddah.
The Malaysian citizens, arriving on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia flights,were greeted on arrival by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
Kohilan was in Egypt to head a Malaysian delegation to facilitate the
evacuation process.
He said there was no problem dealing with the authorities there.
Problems arose only in terms of communications because the local people there spoke only Arabic, he said.
"For instance, I had problems filling up forms and writing letters and had to ask for assistance from my driver," he said.
Recalling the operation, he said, the Malaysian delegation obtained the clearance to take out 700 students within the first day itself.
"So far, we have evacuated about 9,500 Malaysian citizens from Egypt to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," he said.
Asked whether he was concerned about his safety there, Kohilan said, "No, when we know the situation is like this we know we need to take the risk to ensure everything goes smoothly.
"We do that we have to do," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, said obtaining the landing rights and
overflight clearances in Cairo and Jeddah was key to the airlines' smooth operations.
This was made possible due to the good relations Malaysia Airlines built and maintained with both countries over the years, he said. "We are well established in Jeddah having served this route for over 30 years and in Cairo, we also have good relations with Egypt Air whom we codeshare with."
As of Monday morning, Malaysia Airlines had carried around 2,160 Malaysians out of Cairo, he said in a statement.
In total, the airline chartered six flights for the operations.
Met by reporters at KLIA, Azmil said he was pleased with the work carried by the airlines' crew members.
"Fantastic. They work very hard. I am very glad that we are able to help."
"While there, I was surrounded by so many Muslim students and they were surprised to see me there," he said.
"There was also an Indian doctor among members of the Putera 1Malaysia Club who were there to provide assistance. This is something not seen in other countries which have multiracial people.
"We worked as a team to evacuate the students from the country," he told reporters at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport where the first group of 778 Malaysian nationals had just arrived from Jeddah.
The Malaysian citizens, arriving on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia flights,were greeted on arrival by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
Kohilan was in Egypt to head a Malaysian delegation to facilitate the
evacuation process.
He said there was no problem dealing with the authorities there.
Problems arose only in terms of communications because the local people there spoke only Arabic, he said.
"For instance, I had problems filling up forms and writing letters and had to ask for assistance from my driver," he said.
Recalling the operation, he said, the Malaysian delegation obtained the clearance to take out 700 students within the first day itself.
"So far, we have evacuated about 9,500 Malaysian citizens from Egypt to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," he said.
Asked whether he was concerned about his safety there, Kohilan said, "No, when we know the situation is like this we know we need to take the risk to ensure everything goes smoothly.
"We do that we have to do," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, said obtaining the landing rights and
overflight clearances in Cairo and Jeddah was key to the airlines' smooth operations.
This was made possible due to the good relations Malaysia Airlines built and maintained with both countries over the years, he said. "We are well established in Jeddah having served this route for over 30 years and in Cairo, we also have good relations with Egypt Air whom we codeshare with."
As of Monday morning, Malaysia Airlines had carried around 2,160 Malaysians out of Cairo, he said in a statement.
In total, the airline chartered six flights for the operations.
Met by reporters at KLIA, Azmil said he was pleased with the work carried by the airlines' crew members.
"Fantastic. They work very hard. I am very glad that we are able to help."
