Penang: More than 300 students from Penang pursuing their studies in Jordan and Egypt are reported to be safe following rising tensions in West Asia. Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid stated that the state government is closely monitoring the situation involving students from the state in both countries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the latest update from Malaysia's Ambassador to Jordan, Datuk Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman, confirmed that all Malaysian students there, including those from Penang, are safe. The Malaysian Embassy is maintaining contact with student representatives to ensure their welfare is safeguarded during this sensitive period in the region. Dr. Mohamad shared these updates while attending the Agihan Zakat Nur Ramadan 1447H programme at Masjid Al Mustaqhfirin in Bayan Lepas.

Currently, about 100 Penang students in Jordan are residing in major cities, including Amman, Irbid, and Mu'tah. They have been advised to remain at their residences and only travel to campus for lectures. Meanwhile, approximately 200 Penang students are in Egypt, where the situation remains unaffected by the regional tensions.

Regarding the possibility of bringing the students home if the situation worsens, Dr. Mohamad mentioned that such a decision would depend on the Foreign Ministry and updates from the Malaysian Embassy in Jordan. Tensions in West Asia escalated following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory strikes by Tehran against US interests in Gulf countries.