Zambry: Three Malaysians stranded in Sudan arrive safely in Jeddah, expected to return to M'sia on Sunday

PUTRAJAYA: Three Malaysians who were previously trapped in Sudan following the armed conflict, have safely landed at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, early on Friday morning. They are scheduled to fly back to Malaysia this Sunday.

The three travelled on the naval ship "Amanah" of the Saudi Arabian government and landed in Jeddah at 12.50 am. Malaysian time, according to a statement from Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He said Wisma Putra, the Sudan Special Operations Team, the Malaysian embassies in Sudan and Riyadh, as well as the Saudi government, were all involved in this attempt.

According to him, the Malaysian Consulate General in Jeddah met them upon arrival and took them to the lodging the Saudi government had arranged for them.

The group will travel aboard a Saudia SV842 aircraft, which has been completely coordinated by Wisma Putra and the Malaysian Consulate General in Jeddah, and is scheduled to land in Malaysia at 5 am (Malaysian time) on May 7.

"I would like to convey my gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for once again assisting Malaysians in leaving Sudan and providing amenities during their stay in Jeddah on behalf of the Government of Malaysia."

He said, "Thank you to all parties engaged in this operation."

Zambry also advised Malaysians who knew of relatives or friends of Malaysians discovered in Sudan to get in touch with Wisma Putra to assist in their search.

Earlier, the media quoted Zambry as saying that three additional Malaysians are still trapped in Khartoum but are not registered with the Malaysian Embassy.

Since the violence started on April 15, at least 550 people have died, more than 5,000 have been injured, and more than 100,000 citizens have fled to neighbouring countries as a result of the armed confrontation between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Suppo

-- BERNAMA