KUALA LUMPUR: Following the escalating tensions in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it is best to evacuate all Malaysian students in the country.
Anwar said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had briefed him on the latest situation in the country.
"Our students, be it under government's assistance or not, we will help (to evacuate) them.
"In the first few days, the situation (in the country) seemed to be under control. However, based on the latest information received, it is best to bring them home," he told reporters after the National Tax Conference 2024 today.
It was reported that Mohamad in a press conference said the ministry will evacuate all Malaysians in Bangladesh, especially students, tomorrow.
Mohamad said arrangements have been made with several government agencies for this evacuation, including the National Security Council and the management of AirAsia Bhd to bring them home.
It was reported that 10 people died in clashes with police on Thursday in Dhaka – the highest toll in a single day so far, including a bus driver whose body was brought to a hospital with a bullet wound in his chest during the protest.
The protest, which is the biggest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for a fourth time, is fuelled by high unemployment among the youth – with nearly a fifth of the 170 million population out of work or education.