Defer travel to Japan, Malaysians advised

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are strongly urged to defer non-essential travel to Japan, especially to the disaster-hit northeastern part of the country.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday the advice was given in view of the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and disruption of essential services such as transport and electric power.

It reminded Malaysians who travelled to other parts of Japan to exercise a high degree of caution due to the prevailing situation regarding the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

According to the statement, Malaysians living within an 80km zone of the plant were advised to move out from the area as a precautionary measure.

The Foreign Ministry said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had also reported that radiation levels beyond safe limits had been detected in areas 40km away from the plant.

“Malaysians in these areas, unless their presence is essential, should make arrangements to leave the affected areas. They are advised to avoid travelling to those areas as a precautionary measure,” it said. Malaysians who are considering to leave can contact the Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo at (+813)34763840 or e-mail [email protected] and register themselves.

The Foreign Ministry also advised Malaysians in Japan to always be alert to any directives issued by the local authorities there concerning their safety and security and keep abreast with the news from reliable sources and not to pay attention to any rumours that can be misleading and cause undue worries.

“The ministry is constantly monitoring the situation in Japan through the Malaysia Embassy in Tokyo. The operations room in Wisma Putra and the Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo will continue to operate 24 hours until further notice,” it said. — Bernama