Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said tonight the government had decided to bring Malaysian students by air or sea out of Egypt due to the worsening anti-government uprising in that country.

He said the decision was made after receiving a report on the situation in Egypt from the Malaysian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay and which also included the prime minister's political secretary Sahlan Ismail.

"Some immediate measures will be taken to bring the students out of Egypt," he told Bernama , in Kuala Lumpur.

One of the measures is to ask Bunga Mas 5, a container ship guarded by a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessel on duty in the Gulf of Aden, to sail to the Port of Adabiya, about two and a half hours' journey from the south of Cairo, to ferry the students out of Egypt.

"The container ship, which can accommodate about 500 students on its deck, is expected to arrive at the Port of Adabiya on Feb 5," said Najib.

The prime minister said he had discussed with Foreign Minister Anifah Aman on asking Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia to make special flights to Cairo to also bring the Malaysian students home.

"They (MAS and AirAsia) will inform me tomorrow on the possibility of using their aircraft for the mission," he said.

Najib said the government would also try to bring the students out to Jeddah and to temporarily house them at the Tabung Haji Centre there until flights were available for them to return to Malaysia.

However, he added, some matters had to be sorted out first like the students' visas.

"The government is therefore communicating with the Saudi Arabian government for our students be allowed to be brought in to Jeddah."

Najib said the government would provide more information on the matter to the students and their parents tomorrow.

  RMAF to help

  Meanwhile, Kohilan said the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft would also be used to bring Malaysian students out of Egypt to neighbouring countries in stages.

 He said the aircraft would also be used to transport foodstuff and drinks to the students. 

Kohilan, who is now in Egypt to monitor the situation, said the Malaysia  Abbasiyah Hall, State Houses in Cairo and Mara House in Alexandria had become safe houses for the students and other Malaysians in Egypt.

 "To further ensure their safety and daily needs are looked after, the government has upped security control and sent immediate supply of food and other necessities to these premises."

 He and Sahlan had earlier met officers of the State Houses and Malaysian students' representatives and found the students to be safe and in good spirit.

Sahlan said Malaysian embassy officers had been stationed at the Cairo International Airport to assist stranded Malaysians, including students.

 "We've had problems in giving them food and drinks as many roads and lanes are guarded by the demonstrators. So, the embassy officers are at the airport to assist Malaysians with food and drinks and booking their flights out."

 He said until today, 150 Malaysian students and other Malaysians stranded since last Saturday had flown home on their own expense via Oman, Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam.

 Sahlan also advised Malaysians including the students' parents to postpone any planned trip to Egypt because of the difficult situation, including congestion at the airports.

 He said the Malaysian government and embassy in Cairo would continue to channel information on the latest developments to Malaysians in Egypt.  

  - Bernama