KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19- The National Security Council (MKN) has sent a team to Egypt to evaluate the need to evacuate, and the security of Malaysians in the country.
MKN in a statement Sunday said the role of the team headed by its secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab was to coordinate preparation with the related parties in Egypt if evacuation was implemented.
“MKN has been directed by the government to coordinate preparation involving government agencies and the private sector to bring home Malaysians in Egypt following the turmoil there.
“Towards this end, a team has been sent to Egypt to coordinate the process and, until to date, 3,300 Malaysians are estimated to be still in the country,” according to the statement.
The security situation in Egypt is uncertain with the number of casualties continue to rise after security forces launched an assault on the supporters of ex-president, Dr Mohammed Mursi at Rabaa al-adawiya Square and al-Nahda Square this week. Processions by supporters of Dr Mohammed Mursi were also held in major towns in Egypt and were reported to also involve areas occupied by Malaysian students.
The statement said several series of meetings were held to evaluate the security situation in Egypt and to formulate preparation and action plan if there was a need to bring Malaysians in Egypt to a safe place.
The latest meeting was held on Aug 15, chaired by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein with the participation of government and private sector agencies including MKN, Defence Ministry, Transport Ministry, Education Ministry, Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia.
– BERNAMA
