KUALA LUMPUR: More than 1,000 Malaysians stranded in India will be brought home in six special flights, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said.
He said six AirAsia A320 flights, chartered by Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), would be used to fly the 1,116 Malaysians home.
“As of noon today, there are 1,519 Malaysians in total stranded in India. Wisma Putra is working on evacuating our citizens there, including sending special flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Tiruchirapalli (Trichy).
“Based on discussions between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran a few days ago, it has been concluded that the MIC will be sponsoring the cost of renting the six aircraft at RM1.05 million.
“The six aircraft have the capacity to bring home 1,116 Malaysians soon and the flights will depart from Chennai and Trichy,” he said at a press conference broadcast live.
Kamaruddin said those in Mumbai and Chennai would be brought home through Malaysia Airlines flights.
“Wisma Putra in collaboration with the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airports Berhad is currently coordinating flights by Malaysia Airlines to bring home Malaysians stranded in Chennai and Mumbai.
“The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi is currently trying to obtain a special pass from the Indian government for the two Malaysia Airlines flights to land in India,” he said.