KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia will engage with China to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Dr Mahathir said there are 78 Malaysians in the Chinese city which is now under lockdown following the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak.
He informed that this was decided by the Cabinet after its meeting, here, earlier today.
Dr Mahathir added that Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is expected to talk to China to get its go ahead for the release of the Malaysian citizens in Wuhan.
This he said follows Japan’s efforts in evacuating their citizens.
He also remarked that food supply for the Malaysians in Wuhan were also running low and should the Chinese government permit it, an aircraft would fly in sending aid including food items, rubber gloves and masks.
He confirmed that Malaysians who were now in Wuhan were clear of the virus but said that the evacuees would still be checked upon their arrival back to Malaysia.
“If they show symptoms they would be quarantined for another 14 days.
“Only if they are cleared would they be allowed home,” he told reporters.
Dr Mahathir said that the 26 hospitals designated by the Health Ministry was sufficient to quarantine the patients.