Wisma Putra Refutes Viral Claim, Says UAE Missions Operating Round The Clock

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Foreign Ministry has refuted a viral social media post claiming that  Malaysian diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) failed to provide assistance to a Malaysian citizen stranded in Dubai.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, the ministry said the missions have been working round the clock to provide assistance to Malaysians stranded, with priority given to urgent and vulnerable cases. 

“We fully understand the anxiety and distress faced by Malaysians affected by the sudden airspace closures and flight cancellations, particularly in major global transit hubs such as Dubai.

“Since the onset of this crisis, the Embassy of Malaysia in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of Malaysia in Dubai have been operating without pause, including over the weekend.

“All official phone lines, duty officer hotlines, and email channels remain fully active. In instances where call volumes have been exceptionally high, our officers have been diligently returning missed calls and following up directly, including through messaging applications,” it said. 

According to the ministry, there are currently about 29,000 Malaysians across the affected region in the Middle East.

In the United Arab Emirates alone, there are approximately 8,500 Malaysians, including residents as well as those transiting or stranded due to the recent flight disruptions.

“Of this number, around 5,900 individuals have formally registered their presence with our Missions,” it said.

“Given the scale of the situation and the large number of Malaysians across the region, the Missions have implemented a prioritisation framework to ensure urgent cases receive immediate attention.

“Priority is extended to individuals with critical medical needs, those without accommodation or financial means, the elderly, families with small children, students and anyone facing immediate severe hardship,” it added.

The ministry said this structured approach ensures assistance is directed first to those in the most critical circumstances, while teams continue to provide support and guidance to all Malaysians seeking help.

“We deeply appreciate the understanding of those whose immediate needs have been met, as your patience allows our officers to focus first on citizens requiring life-saving or urgent assistance,” it said.

The ministry emphasised that assistance is extended to all Malaysians without distinction, with the safety and welfare of every citizen as its absolute priority.

It also cautioned that during times of regional uncertainty, the circulation of incomplete or misleading information can unintentionally undermine public confidence and complicate coordination efforts.

It urged Malaysians to rely solely on official ministry channels and to remain in direct communication with the Missions.

Malaysians requiring consular assistance are encouraged to first contact their nearest Malaysian diplomatic missions through the official telephone numbers and email addresses previously provided. 

Should further assistance be required, the ministry’s 24-hour Operations Room in Putrajaya may be contacted at +603-8887 4570 or via email at dutyofficer@kln.gov.my.

It added that its officers across the region and at headquarters will continue working around the clock to safeguard Malaysians during this challenging time.

In a related development, the Embassy of Malaysia in Abu Dhabi, in a Facebook post, reiterated its call for Malaysians to remain vigilant and to comply with instructions issued by the local authorities at all times.

It said that although the UAE’s national defence system remains effective and the authorities have characterised the situation as under control, the UAE government has implemented strict precautionary measures, including mobile alerts across the country.

“All Malaysians in the UAE are advised to remain vigilant and to comply with instructions issued by the local authorities at all times,” the post stated.

It added that the Embassy is operating as usual. Malaysians requiring consular assistance may contact tel: +971-50 614 6894 or email: mwabudhabi@kln.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA