KUCHING: Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar successfully brought back eight Malaysians who were stranded in Nigeria for more than five months due to the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world recently.
The eight Malaysians who were stranded in Nigeria because of their work arrived safely on Friday (Aug 21) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The efforts to help them were led by Wan Junaidi and the Malaysian Embassy in Nigeria which actively involved in negotiations at the national leadership level between Malaysia and Nigeria.
While they were stranded there, the Malaysian Embassy was very helpful in terms of accommodation, food and drinks, and also the process of returning them home.
The eight Malaysians involved were all from Sarawak. One of the stranded Malaysian, Aloh Buyai, said that the feeling of anxiety was mixed with worry because he was stranded in another country.
Furthermore, at that time, he said, they were told that the airport in Lagos, Nigeria would only operate in October.
But the feeling of fear changed to a relief when told they were told that they could go home earlier.
“I am very grateful to all parties, especially the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the Malaysian embassy in Nigeria and all parties who helped us until we arrived safely,” he said.
Aloh said, after the incident, he will not leave the country again after this.
“Let me find sustenance and work here in Malaysia,” he added.
Another stranded Malaysian, July Jantan was also thankful for finally making it back home.
“As I was stranded in Nigeria, I always prayed that we can all return to Malaysia immediately. Feelings of anger, worry and additional fears with the emergence of various diseases there made me felt lost. This is an experience that I will never forget,” he said.
He also thanked those who helped, especially Wan Junaidi who did not stop helping with the process of bringing the eight stranded Malaysians home.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi would also like to extend his appreciation to the government of Nigeria for the assistance that was given to ensure the mission was successfully implemented.
He also extended his gratitude to all civil servants who have worked hard to help the return of these Malaysians, especially those at the Malaysian Embassy in Nigeria and also the Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Nigeria.
Wan Junaidi also reminded all who returned to Malaysia to follow the government’s instructions for a mandatory quarantine 14 days after arriving in Sarawak.
