DUE to a risk assessment by concerned parties, Malaysians at the Petronas Khartoum Complex in Sudan were successfully evacuated to a safe place yesterday afternoon (Sudan time). 

Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said in a statement that the country was taking steps to bring back all Malaysians as soon as the situation permitted. 

Following reports of the “forced takeover” of the complex that also housed the Malaysian Embassy, the Sudanese Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur will be called to voice Malaysia’s views on the latest conflict. 

“Apart from that, Malaysia also expressed its objection to the actions of certain parties who broke into the complex,” he said in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry today.  

Clashes erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and the surrounding areas. More than 180 people were killed and 1,800 injured in the fighting, according to the United Nations. 

Zambry also said the crisis in Sudan had affected all foreign embassy offices, with reports of the European Union ambassador to Sudan being attacked, Japanese citizens being roughed up, United States diplomatic vehicles being shot at, and the official residence of the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Sudan being broken into. 

He emphasised that the safety of all Malaysians in Sudan was the government’s priority. Special Forces have drawn up an evacuation plan to bring back 32 Malaysians, based on the latest data shared by the Malaysian Embassy in Khartoum. 

The evacuation plan will be implemented immediately with friendly countries as soon as there is an opportunity to do so. – Bernama, April 18, 2023.