Wisma Putra Denies Claims Of Inaction, Says Aid Ongoing For Malaysians In Middle East
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted allegations circulating on social media that Malaysian diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates failed to assist a stranded Malaysian in Dubai, stressing that consular support operations remain fully active amid ongoing regional disruptions.
In a media response issued Tuesday, the ministry said it is aware of a viral post making the claim but emphasised that its missions have been operating without pause since the onset of airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations across parts of the Middle East.
The ministry acknowledged the anxiety faced by Malaysians affected by the sudden disruptions, particularly in major global transit hubs such as Dubai.
According to Wisma Putra, there are an estimated 29,000 Malaysians currently across the affected Middle East region. In the United Arab Emirates alone, approximately 8,500 Malaysians are present, including residents and those transiting or stranded due to recent flight disruptions.
Of that figure, around 5,900 individuals have formally registered their presence with Malaysian diplomatic missions. The ministry noted that these numbers are subject to change as travel movements continue and more citizens come forward to register.
The Embassy of Malaysia in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of Malaysia in Dubai have been operating continuously, including over the weekend, with official phone lines, duty officer hotlines and email channels fully active.
In cases of exceptionally high call volumes, officers have been returning missed calls and following up directly, including through messaging applications, the ministry said.
Additionally, the ministry’s operations room in Putrajaya has been activated on a 24-hour basis to coordinate assistance and respond to public inquiries.
Given the scale of the situation, Malaysian missions have implemented a prioritisation framework to ensure urgent cases receive immediate attention.
Priority is being given to individuals with critical medical needs, those without accommodation or financial means, the elderly, families with young children, students and others facing severe hardship.
The ministry appealed for patience from Malaysians who are safe and in stable conditions, saying this would allow officers to focus first on life-threatening and urgent cases.
Wisma Putra stressed that assistance is extended to all Malaysians without distinction and that the safety and welfare of citizens remain its top priority.
It also cautioned that incomplete or misleading information circulating online could undermine public confidence and complicate coordination efforts during a period of regional uncertainty.
Malaysians requiring consular assistance have been advised to contact their nearest Malaysian diplomatic missions directly through official telephone numbers and email addresses previously provided.
