COVID-19: King expresses gratitude to Wisma Putra

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has expressed his gratitude to Wisma Putra, especially officials and staff of the Malaysian embassy overseas as well as the Foreign Ministry’s COVID-19 Team for helping Malaysians stranded outside the country following the virus outbreak.

Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the appreciation was expressed to Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein during a video conference session yesterday.

"Al-Sultan Abdullah highly appreciates the commitment, competence and professionalism shown by the officials and staff of Wisma Putra in facing the challenges of bringing home 14,015 Malaysians from 70 foreign countries," he said in a statement today.

He added that His Majesty appreciated the services provided by the Foreign Ministry's COVID-19 Team in preparing reports and consular services to foreign diplomats in Malaysia as well as Malaysians who were still in the affected countries.

“His Majesty advised the Malaysian diaspora to remain cautious and hoped that they will adapt to the new normal to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Self-discipline and commitment especially adhering to social distancing and personal hygiene as well as following the guidelines set by the countries they reside need serious attention," he said.

Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed his hope that Wisma Putra would strengthen bilateral relations and close cooperation between Malaysia and other countries around the world.

Ahmad Fadil said that His Majesty, who studied foreign affairs and diplomacy at Worcester Queen Elizabeth College in the United Kingdom in 1981, strongly interested in diplomatic field and understood the importance of bilateral relations between countries.

In conjunction with Ramadan and Nuzul Quran, His Majesty also hoped that Muslims would pray that Malaysia would be protected and blessed and that the pandemic will end soon, said Ahmad Fadil. - BERNAMA