Four Malaysians still in Ukraine

Only four Malaysians are still in Ukraine, all of whom are registered with the Malaysian embassy in Kyiv, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the embassy, through Malaysian embassies or representatives in countries near Ukraine especially in Warsaw, Poland, had maintained close contact with the Malaysians in Ukraine.

“The embassy is always ready to help if they want to leave Ukraine. The assistance provided includes facilitating entry at the borders of neighbouring countries.

“… also in the documentation process, such as the issuance of emergency certificates for those who may need it, as well as taking care of their well-being and other issues,” he said during question time today.

Saifuddin was replying to M Kulasegaran (PH-Ipoh Barat) who wanted to know whether the government was aware of the number of Malaysians still stranded in Ukraine and the kind of assistance being provided for them.

On a 45-second video which claimed that a group of Malaysian students was still stranded in Ukraine, Saifuddin said neither the allegation nor their Malaysian citizenship could be confirmed so far.

However, he urged Malaysian citizens who were still in Ukraine but who had yet to register with the embassy to do so immediately.

Meanwhile, he said Malaysia presently had no intention of imposing sanctions on Russia as unilateral sanctions are against Malaysian principles, adding that any sanctions should be made through the United Nations (UN).

“As a member of UN Human Rights Council, we propose first a ceasefire and second, the continuance of negotiations. Sanctions can be imposed but we have not reached that stage. If it is necessary, it should be made through the UN.

“Sometimes, if sanctions are imposed but not targeted, innocent people will suffer. So, we have to be careful about matters relating to sanctions even if they are among the powerful strategies that can be used,” he said in reply to Wong Chen (PH-Subang).