Yemenis will be able to work legally in Malaysia soon - Ambassador

Ten thousand Yemeni citizens holding social visit pass in Malaysia would be able to work under certain requirements which would be finalised soon, said Yemen's Ambassador to Malaysia Adel Mohamed BaHamid.

The envoy said this is part of the programmes held in collaboration with the Malaysian government to render humanitarian assistance to Yemenis, whose home country is ravaged by war.

"(It's) not yet implemented but it has been agreed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Our request was to allow them to work in Yemeni establishments such as Yemeni tourism agency, schools, groceries and restaurants," he told Bernama on Friday.

He added that there are 70 Yemeni-run restaurants operating in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

The ambassador said the Malaysian government has also allowed for visa on arrival extension for Yemen citizens from 90 days to one year, under certain conditions.

"That is fulfilled by the Yemen embassy with the cooperation of Malaysian immigration. So far, around 10,000 (Yemenis) has had their social pass extended," he said.

Adel Mohamed said another initiative, the overstay correction programme, facilitates the correction of the Yemeni citizens' status in the country and help them to stay here under legal conditions.

"The stability and security of Malaysia is our priority. We always make awareness to our people to respect Malaysia regulations," he said.

The ambassador said currently there are over 20,000 Yemenis in Malaysia, with 10,000 of them under social visit pass, 8,000 students and 4,000 UNHCR cardholders.

He said the government of Yemen and its people here are thankful to the Malaysian government for due consideration towards the Yemenis’ plight, adding that the programmes have allowed them to live with dignity here.

The ambassador said Yemen also highly appreciate the Malaysian government's pledge of US$100,000 to help the war-torn country address its humanitarian needs.

Yemen’s conflict started in 2014 when the Houthi rebels took control of its capital city, Sana’a.

In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign to reinstate the internationally-recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The country is also going against the threat of the Al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorist groups.

- Bernama