PUTRAJAYA, Jan 29 (Bernama) — Malaysia is prepared to bring home its citizens in Wuhan following the outbreak of the new 2019 novel coronavirus in the city if it gets the green light from the Chinese government, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir announced.
He said the Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will initiate a negotiation with the Chinese government on this matter as soon as possible.
“Right now, they (Malaysian citizens) are not allowed to leave Wuhan, but we want to negotiate with the Chinese government so that the Malaysian citizens who are not sick can (be allowed to) return to Malaysia,” he told a press conference after chairing the Cabinet meeting here today.
At present, there are approximately 78 Malaysian citizens in Wuhan, he said.
He said if the Chinese government gave the green light, the Malaysian citizens will be quarantined first to ensure that they are not infected by the coronavirus, before being allowed to return to their respective homes.