PUTRAJAYA, Jan 8 — The Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the latest developments in Kazakhstan following the ongoing violence and protests in the country.
All 79 Malaysians registered with the embassy in Nur Sultan are safe, it said in a statement, adding that they include diplomats and their dependents at the Embassy, as well as at the Matrade and Tourism Malaysia offices in Almaty.
The Embassy has advised them to give utmost priority to their personal safety and security, avoid protest areas, and abide by instructions issued by the relevant local authorities.
The Foreign Ministry said Malaysians who require consular assistance in Kazakhstan may contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan at Tel : +7 (7172) 79 06 90, +77011010233 (after office hour), or email : mwnursultan@kln.gov.my.
Protests broke out in the city of Zhanaozen in Mangystau, Kazakhstan, on January 2 over the increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices. The protests then spread to other areas of the country before going nationwide.
Following the unrest, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a state of emergency in commercial capital Almaty and the oil-rich Mangystau region on January 4.
Anadolu Agency reported that 26 protesters had died and 18 others injured in anti-government demonstrations to date.
At least 18 security officers had also lost their lives in the violence.
It added that the country's Interior Ministry, in a statement, said over 3,000 people were also detained in the incidents.
— Bernama
