In the face of the ongoing demonstrations and clashes in Egypt, the Malaysian government has decided to bring home its citizens from the country reeling under bloodshed.
Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein declared on Friday that about 3,300 Malaysians will be brought home soon as the situation demands. He announced the decision after holding a meeting with several government and private agencies to churn out rescue plans.
"Up to now, the 3,300 Malaysians in Egypt are safe. We will do whatever it takes to evacuate them home when the situation worsens," the minister told Bernama news agency.
The defence minister said that citizens will be flown with the Malaysian Airlines Systems and Air Asia flights as soon as airports are accessible or if the situation improves. "If the airports in Egypt are closed, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) logistics will come into play. We will bring the Malaysians home as planned," Hishammudin was quoted as saying.
The clashes in Egypt over President Morsi's ouster reached its peak with 638 deaths being reported on Thursday. Pro-Morsi supporters in two separate sit-ins were attacked by ant-riot police with 4,000 being injured, reported Associated Press (AP).
Several Malaysians were seen protesting outside the Malaysian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, against the violence meted out to pro-Morsi supporters and ruthless killings on Thursday.
Voicing support for the president's removal, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman was quoted by the Star as saying, "We are here at the embassy to object to what has happened: the massacre of civilians and the takeover of an elected government."
"We are not supporting Morsi because he is Morsi, but because he is the legitimate choice of the people (of Egypt)," he added.
Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi finds support among Malaysians for being representative of the democratically elected head.
