PUTRAJAYA: The government has no immediate plans to bring back more than 50 Malaysians, including students in Syria, after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said today, the ministry, through the Malaysian embassy in Syria, will monitor developments and ensure the safety of Malaysians there.
"Most Malaysians in Syria are students and the honorary consul (of Malaysia) is in daily communication with Wisma Putra, providing updates to ensure the safety of our citizens and students.
"The ministry continues to closely observe the situation, expressing hope that stability and peace will prevail.
"Additionally, the newly established government is urged to prioritise peace and security."
He said this after the presentation ceremony, for Malaysia's Contribution to Palestine under the initiative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Malaysians in Syria and countries in the region are encouraged to register their presence via E-Konsular at https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my to receive updates and assistance if required.
The honorary consul can be contacted via telephone at +963 93324 5555 or email at samir@honconsuladvisor.my.
The Malaysian embassy in Jordan can be reached at +962 6 590 2400 / +962 6593 4343 or mwamman@kln.gov.my."
Islamist-led rebels recently declared they had taken Damascus in a swift offensive, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria.
Bashar, who had ruled Syria since 2000 after his father's death, left the country after negotiations for a peaceful transfer of power, which Russia claimed he had initiated before stepping down
His tenure was marked by suppression of pro-democracy protests starting in 2011, which escalated into a civil war.
The conflict led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.