The floods in the northern state of Kashmir last September, where several Malaysian medical students were stranded. – Reuters file pic, February 8, 2015.Malaysian students and those working in India are requested to be in touch with the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) officials in New Delhi so they can be contacted easily during emergencies.Stressing that their safety and security is important, Malaysian High Commissioner to India, Datuk Naimun Ashakli Mohammad urged Malaysians to register with his office in Delhi or the Consulate-General offices in Chennai or Mumbai.Those travelling to far-away places like Jammu and Kashmir or other remote tourist destinations are also advised to communicate with the officials."Generally, Malaysians take it lightly on this matter and approach our offices only when they face difficulties or in case of emergencies."Here, we are not discouraging them to travel wherever they wish to visit in India, but just inform us upon their arrival."If they report to us either via phone or online, we are even prepared to advise them on security sensitive areas or areas prone to natural disasters," Naimun told Bernama in an interview.Citing the incident how a group of Malaysian students were stranded in Jammu and Kashmir during a major flood last year, Naimun said like any other High Commission, he and his officers' role were also to assist Malaysians in distress in whatever way possible.Last September, 29 Malaysian medical students studying in south India were stranded in a massive flood in the northern state.The senior diplomat stressed it should not been seen as an attempt to disrupt their travel plans, but instead a genuine effort to extend assistance when the need arises.He said although it was not a statutory requirement to report, two-way communication would help officials in New Delhi to mobilise rescue operations or organise assistance promptly by coordinating with local authorities.For Malaysian students studying in India, Naimun advised them to inform their sponsors whenever they decide to travel beyond their respective campuses or states where they are residing."In some cases involving students, not only were we caught off guard but their sponsors too had no knowledge of their movements," he noted with concern.In cases of students travelling by land, they are advised to travel with valid documents and encouraged to travel in groups.On the same note, Naimun also said Malaysians students must understand the local culture and customs, which varied from one state to state."Unless they report to us, we cannot advise them accordingly on security issues, and the do's and dont's if they decide to travel to areas close to conflict zones," said Naimun.Currently there are nearly 5,000 Malaysian students in India with nearly 3,700 of them in the state of Karnataka.The new High Commission building in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, is currently under construction and it is operating temporarily from the Taj Hotel in the capital.Its officials can be contacted +91 26111291/92 or maldelhi@kln.gov.my while the Consulate-General office in Mumbai can be reached at by calling 91-22-26455751/52, or email mwmumbai@kln.gov.my, whereas the one in Chennai by dialling +91-44-24334435/36 or e-mailing to mwchennai@kln.gov.my. – Bernama, February 8, 2015.
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