SEPANG: The government will leverage their past experience from the Arab Spring crisis to plan the continuation of students' studies following their evacuation from Bangladesh due to unrest.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said he would consider the matter and draw on experience from the Arab Spring crisis in Egypt in 2011.
"We have prior experience from the crisis in Egypt, and we can apply that experience now. Nevertheless, we pray for a swift resolution to this crisis so we can send our students back to Bangladesh to avoid disrupting their studies," he told reporters when met after receiving 123 Malaysians evacuated from Bangladesh at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 today.
He said that aside from offering counselors, the ministry is also offering accommodation for students who need it before returning to their respective states.
"We will continue to offer counseling sessions to any parents or students who feel they need them. These sessions are provided free of charge, and we are ready to arrange further sessions as needed.
"As for the accommodation for those arriving today. If there is a need, we can provide accommodations.
"Contact us as we have established an operations room, and we have announced its details (to them)," he said.
Mustapha also expressed gratitude for the safe arrival of the students, highlighting that their safety is the top priority.
"The challenging process, made difficult by limited communication on the ground, was managed smoothly thanks to the cooperation between Wisma Putra, the Ministry of Higher Education, and other agencies, along with the support of the Bangladeshi government."
Earlier, a total of 123 Malaysian students evacuated from Bangladesh following civil unrest this morning have safely arrived at KLIA.
The special AirAsia flight AK76 arrived at KLIA Terminal 2 at 5.10pm after departing from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.
Present to receive the evacuees were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail along with Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.